Japan considers using AI-powered drones to detect illegal fishing

Tokyo (ANTARA) — The Japan Coast Guard office in Kanagawa Prefecture is considering using artificial intelligence (AI)-powered drones to tackle the illegal harvesting of marine resources.

The Yokosuka Coast Guard, which normally monitors suspected illegal fishing visually, tested drones along the coast of Yokosuka, near Tokyo, this summer in collaboration with a university.

The drone successfully detected the illegal harvesting of turban shells in August. Footage from its camera identified a man swimming as a “suspicious” figure.

“The drone will help us monitor the area more efficiently,” a coastguard officer said.

Kanto Gakuin University professor Makoto Motoki and his research team trained the detection system using coastguard officers acting as illegal poachers.

Motoki said the trial showed that AI could accurately detect poachers in real-world conditions. “We want to continue developing this technology so it can be put to practical use,” he said.

The Japan Coast Guard says cases of what it calls “recreational poaching” are increasing. In these cases, people visit the Miura Peninsula, a coastal area in the prefecture, on holidays and illegally harvest marine resources.

The Yokosuka Coast Guard referred 109 cases related to illegal poaching to prosecutors in 2024 and 129 in 2025.