Index of content
From 15 to 18 September 2026, Trackwell attended the Annual Science Conference of the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea (ICES) in Brest, France. ICES ASC 2026 is one of the largest annual gatherings of marine scientists, fisheries researchers, and marine technology experts. ICES brings together a network of research institutes and thousands of scientists working across fisheries science, marine technology, and resource management.
Our presentation: AI and vessel behaviour analysis
During the conference, Trackwell presented ongoing work on artificial intelligence and behavioural analysis of vessel movements, showcasing research being conducted within our Data Analysis Engine (DAE) initiative.
The presentation explored the challenges of turning vessel position data into identifiable and predictable behavioural patterns, with a particular focus on the realities of working with operational fisheries-monitoring data rather than idealised datasets.
Exchanging ideas with the scientific community
The conference provided an excellent opportunity to engage with researchers and organisations working on fisheries monitoring, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and decision-support systems. Discussions focused on emerging technologies that are shaping the future of fisheries management:
- machine learning
- behavioural modelling
- environmental data integration
- advanced analytics
For Trackwell, ICES was not only a platform to present research, but also an opportunity to exchange ideas with the scientific community and help ensure that future product development remains aligned with the evolving needs of fisheries management and science.
Bridging the gap between AI research and operations
One of the most encouraging observations from the conference was the growing interest in artificial intelligence across the fisheries sector. While many presentations showcased promising research, relatively few addressed the challenge of applying AI in operational fisheries monitoring.
We believe the industry’s next step is bridging the gap between research and practical decision-support tools. It is the same message we heard a week earlier at SAFET 2026 in Cebu: the data is already there, and the work now is making it useful to the people who act on it.
Conferences such as ICES provide valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, build partnerships, and help shape the future of fisheries management technology.
If you work with fisheries monitoring data and would like to hear more about our research, please get in touch.
