Real-Time Intelligence Powers Argentina’s Fight Against Illegal Fishing
How Skylight’s AI insights helped authorities detect and respond to suspicious activity in one of the world’s most heavily fished waters
Challenge
Argentina is a country rich in marine resources, and its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) supports one of the most important squid fisheries in the world. Each year, the shortfin squid season attracts sperm whales, dolphins, and fur seals—along with penguins, hake, and other species—alongside massive fishing fleets from across the world. Dotted just outside Argentina’s territorial waters are hundreds of these foreign vessels competing in a global market valued at over $2 billion annually.
The sheer concentration of boats in these waters is a constant source of tension for Argentina. The depletion of marine resources threatens both biodiversity and the livelihoods of local fishing communities, which makes effective and efficient enforcement even more necessary, requiring real-time intelligence and advanced surveillance technology to monitor and respond to incursions effectively.
Impact
To address illegal incursions and protect Argentina’s marine resources, the Argentine Coast Guard (Prefectura Naval Argentina, PNA) has been leveraging Skylight’s AI-powered insights along with its own monitoring system (Coast Guard System) to track and respond to suspicious vessel activity in real time.
“Skylight contributed directly to the Coast Guard’s decision-making by delivering immediate and reliable insights. It is one of the most useful integrations we’ve recently made to the Coast Guard system.” — Retired Captain Almada, Coordinator of EICEMAR
On January 5, authorities were first alerted by a Speed Range Event, an early warning that the vessel XINRUN 579, a Vanuatu-flagged fishing vessel, was exhibiting anomalous movement patterns within Argentina’s EEZ. The vessel was sailing at a speed of less than 6 knots—a behavior that raised red flags for maritime analysts, as local regulations there consider these speeds to be an indication of trawling.
Just 40 minutes later, a Fishing Event alert provided additional intelligence, reinforcing suspicions that the vessel could be engaged in illegal fishing activity. This helped PNA analysts confirm the need for action and redirect a nearby Coast Guard vessel to XINRUN 579’s location.
"Skylight was vital in immediately confirming the identification of this vessel; with our Coast Guard ship afterwards, we were able to respond quickly, and the intervention was a success," said the lead of the GIS Division at Argentine Coast Guard.
This kind of swift and decisive assistance wouldn't have been possible just a few months ago, before Skylight’s latest advancements in real-time fishing detection. With the ability to identify suspicious activity in stages—first, with an algorithm that flags vessels moving at certain speeds within Areas of Interest and then by a machine learning model that detects several types of fishing behavior like long lining, trawling, and squid jigging–authorities had more intelligence to act fast.
“Skylight contributed directly to the Coast Guard’s decision-making by delivering immediate and reliable insights. It is one of the most useful integrations we've recently made to the Coast Guard system,” said Retired Captain Almada, Coordinator of EICEMAR (Equipo de Trabajo Interdisciplinario para el Control de los Espacios Marítimos y sus Recursos).
The Big Picture
The interception of XINRUN 579 is a great example of how real-time intelligence is transforming the fight against illegal fishing. With hundreds of foreign vessels fishing beyond the limits of Argentina’s EEZ each season, having the ability to detect and act on suspicious behavior within minutes is a critical tool.
By combining Skylight’s AI-powered insights with Argentina’s enforcement efforts and existing monitoring technologies, authorities are now better equipped to protect marine life, support local fisheries, and keep these critical waters sustainable. The case of XINRUN 579 is just one example of how real-time intelligence is helping authorities track illegal activity in one of the most heavily fished areas in the world. This case marks the first time Argentina has issued an international electronic fine and moved forward with legal action against a foreign vessel using this means of evidence. The vessel paid both the fine and the operational costs incurred by authorities–underscoring how smarter, faster detection is helping enforcement teams respond quickly and build stronger, more actionable cases against those who exploit the ocean.
