INTRODUCTION 



This report provides the results of a survey of the potential of 

 remote sensing technology to support enforcement of the 200-nautical- 

 mile (nmi) fishing zone. The survey is part of an Office of Technology 

 Assessment (OTA) overall assessment of fisheries technology that will 

 provide information for Congressional consideration of other legislation 

 which may be needed to implement the Fishery Conservation and Management 

 Act of 1976 (Public Law 94-265).* 



This survey of remote sensing technology was performed from 

 26 July to 7 October 1976, and represents approximately two man-months 

 of professional research effort. 



The scope of the survey was limited to the identification and 

 establishment of performance bounds for feasible remote sensing techniques 

 for detection and classification of vessels subject to regulation in 

 the 200-nmi fishing zone established by Public Law 94-265. The effect 

 of this limitation in scope can be seen by reference to Table 1, which 

 lists the principal factors relevant to enforcement of the 200-nmi fishing 

 zone. The list shows that the ultimate contribution of remote sensing 



* Superscript numbers refer to references listed at the end of the 

 report. 



