Modern technologies and integrated observing systems are “instrumental” to fisheries oceanography: A brief history of ocean data collection

Interdisciplinary data fuel fisheries oceanography research and the ecosystem-based approaches to management and sustainable development it informs. Underlying this is a distributed ocean observing framework that is integrated, interoperable, interactive, and accessible. In recognition of the 30th anniversary of Fisheries Oceanography the journal, this paper reviews the evolution of observing instruments and platforms used in contemporary fisheries oceanography the science. Illustrated with personal anecdotes, past efforts to create or adopt observing technologies, and examples of their use in research, this highlights the spectrum of instruments, systems, and programs used to survey and monitor ocean ecosystems. Modern ocean observing systems are complex and varied, reflecting the range and diversity of data required by fisheries oceanographers. These systems require a large and ongoing investment and an interdisciplinary community of scientists, engineers, and technicians to design, build, install, operate, and maintain them. Common themes emerge from a review of past successful instrument R&D and deployments. It is a highly collaborative, integrative, and iterative process. Most systems are the result of vision, planning, and perseverance, backed by careful calibration and intercomparison. Long-term support is essential; public–private partnerships that leverage funding, technology, and infrastructure are critical. Sustaining long time series for monitoring population and ecosystem change and to support fisheries oceanography research is a priority. Future areas of focus include continuously innovating and updating technologies, implementing a backbone of core observations, and maintaining a nimble infrastructure and R&D capacity to seize new opportunities and address emerging challenges.