AIS-based spatial analysis of fishing grounds, fishing effort, and fleet structure of Hanö Bay, Sweden

Project Description

This ongoing master’s thesis investigates long-term spatial changes in pelagic fishing activity within Hanö Bay, Sweden, using Automatic Identification System (AIS) vessel-tracking data and geospatial analysis techniques.

The project examines how fisheries management policies, including the implementation of Individual Transferable Quotas (ITQs) in Sweden in 2009 and the 2019 Eastern Baltic cod fishery closure, may have influenced the distribution of fishing grounds, fishing effort, and fleet structure over time.

Spatial analyses are conducted in R and GIS environments to identify changes in fishing intensity, vessel behavior, and core fishing areas across multiple study periods.

Expected completion: 2026