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A new Memorandum of Understanding aims to better leverage Galileo and Copernicus to further the goals of the Common Fisheries Policy and the EU’s Green Deal.

Today, the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the EU agency responsible for coordinating national operational activities in fisheries and assisting Member States in applying the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The cooperation agreement reflects the two agencies shared commitment to creating sustainable fisheries and aquaculture – both of which are key components to the European Union’s Green Deal.

“Through the MoU, EUSPA will help EFCA better leverage the EU Space Programme, particularly Galileo, the European Global Satellite Navigation System (EGNSS) and Copernicus, the European Earth Observation programme. This agreement allows EFCA to gain new tools for enforcing the Common Fisheries Policy and EUSPA will also be able to benefit from EFCA’s expertise, allowing us to better meet the needs of the fisheries control community,” says EUSPA Executive Director Rodrigo da Costa.

Cracking down on illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

Both Copernicus and Galileo are already being used to assess the location of fish stocks and to track the location of vessels in an effort to prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, an important aspect of the CFP. The key to doing so is to increase transparency and provide precise information to policy makers and regulators like the EFCA. To this end, Earth Observation services, including the Maritime Surveillance component of the Copernicus Security Service, along with GNSS-based solutions utilising Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) and Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), are important tools in the fight against IUU fishing – a practice that not only costs the global economy between EUR 9 and 21 billion annually, but also threatens our oceans’ fragile biodiversity.

Galileo and Copernicus will improve EFCA capacity to detect, identify and categorise suspected non-compliant fishing activities and will result in safer, more sustainable and efficient maritime operations.

According to Dr Steele, EFCA is already using the EU Space Programme. Back in 2017, EFCA requested the support of Copernicus Maritime Surveillance (CMS) to monitor a vessel seen towing a cage of bluefin tuna – a strictly regulated species. By providing an optical image of a precise location, the agency was able to confirm that the targeted vessel was compliant with all relevant EU regulations.

Another good example of how Galileo and Copernicus are being used to curtail IUU fishing can be found in Norway, where the Norwegian Coastal Authority, in collaboration with Mercator Ocean, are combining GNSS and Earth Observation data with artificial intelligence to identify vessels with suspicious route patterns. The tool is contributing to a more efficient identification and monitoring of vessels that are possibly conducting illicit activities or are engaged in IUU fishing.

Supporting Europe’s growing aquaculture sector

Copernicus and Galileo are also being used to support Europe’s growing aquaculture sector. By providing information and data on environmental conditions (salinity, currents, temperature, etc.) and long-term weather forecasts, EO-based applications play a key role selecting ideal locations to establish aquafarms.

Once the aquafarm is up and running, much of the work is done by fully automated vessels that rely on the accurate positioning and navigation provided by Galileo.

Several projects set to benefit

To kick-off the MoU, EUSPA and EFCA have identified several EU-funded projects that could benefit from the agencies’ cooperation. These include Bluebox Porbeagle, which is developing a transceiver to report the position of vessels computed using Galileo and authenticated with Galileo Open Service Navigation Message Authentication, and GAMBAS, a project building a search and rescue beacon that can be remotely activated by rescue coordination centres. The MoU can be amended to expand the cooperation to include other projects and initiatives.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

EU Space Week, the go-to event of for Europe’s space community, is happening 3 – 6 October 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic.

After two years of online-only editions, EU Space Week 2022 is set to bring together the entire European Union space community. From policymakers to industry, start-ups, public authorities, investors and users, EU Space Week is the place to be for anyone interested in current – and future – trends of the EU Space Programme.

The event is jointly organised by the European Commission and the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and held under the auspices of the Czech Presidency and the City of Prague.

What to expect

Plunge into the world of EU Space with several days full of exciting sessions, events, demonstrations and business opportunities.

With the aim of giving a ‘New Space’ angle to EU Space, this year’s edition will be about entrepreneurship and innovation in space-related businesses across the EU. We will also be showcasing the critical role the EU Space programme plays in igniting positive societal changes.

It's time to see each other again!

Let’s meet and reconnect in Prague at EU Space Week 2022!

Registration will be open soon, but you can already mark your calendars for 3 – 6 October.

And be sure to follow DG DEFIS (@DEFIS_eu) and EUSPA (@EU4Space) on Twitter for updates.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

EU Space Week, the go-to event of for Europe’s space community, is happening 3 – 6 October 2022 in Prague, Czech Republic.

After two years of online-only editions, EU Space Week 2022 is set to bring together the entire European Union space community. From policymakers to industry, start-ups, public authorities, investors and users, EU Space Week is the place to be for anyone interested in current – and future – trends of the EU Space Programme.

The event is jointly organised by the European Commission and the EU Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) and held under the auspices of the Czech Presidency and the City of Prague.

What to expect

Plunge into the world of EU Space with several days full of exciting sessions, events, demonstrations and business opportunities.

With the aim of giving a ‘New Space’ angle to EU Space, this year’s edition will be about entrepreneurship and innovation in space-related businesses across the EU. We will also be showcasing the critical role the EU Space programme plays in igniting positive societal changes.

It's time to see each other again!

Let’s meet and reconnect in Prague at EU Space Week 2022!

Registration will be open soon, but you can already mark your calendars for 3 – 6 October.

And be sure to follow DG DEFIS (@DEFIS_eu) and EUSPA (@EU4Space) on Twitter for updates.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

An initiative in the Netherlands leverages Galileo’s enhanced accuracy and positioning to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment of local bicycle paths.

The Dutch love their bikes. In fact, according to a European Commission report on quality transportation, 36% of Dutch people say biking is their preferred method for getting around.

Bolstered by a robust cycling infrastructure, including dedicated paths, protected lanes, and plenty of bicycle parking, 27% of all travel in the Netherlands is done by bike. In cities like Amsterdam and Zwolle, this percentage is even higher.

But, as impressive as these figures may be, one biking-related statistic cannot be ignored: the number of cycling accidents. According to SafetyNL, nearly 50,000 cyclists were seriously injured in 2019. With cycling continuing to grow in popularity, this number will only increase – which is why the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant decided to conduct a trial for comprehensive safety assessment of its bicycle infrastructure.

Carried out in cooperation with Royal HaskoningDHV, BAM Infra Nederland and the Prisma Groep, the initiative used Galileo alongside other technologies to create detailed and comprehensive maps of the area’s bike paths. After assessing their status and analysing traffic safety, each path was given a unique safety score.

A more accurate picture

The inventory was created by equipping bikes and riders with sensors, accelerometers, LiDAR and cameras – and of course, Galileo-enabled GNSS receivers.

“Using Galileo means more visible satellites and thus increased signal continuity and availability,” says Erik van Duffelen, a project coordinator at the Prisma Groep. “This capability is particularly important in areas with limited line of sight, like bike paths that traverse through urban canyons or under dense tree canopies.”

As the cyclist rides around, the equipment scans the environment, capturing measurements and recording location. During post-processing, the captured data is analysed using artificial intelligence models and algorithms. The result forms the basis of a “digital twin” of the bicycle paths, which not only helps to update older maps, but also includes information about obstacles and other safety hazards. This can be used to improve cyclist safety and to inform future infrastructure development.

“Galileo gave us a more accurate picture of the bicycle paths and a more precise inventory of the cycling infrastructure,” adds van Duffelen. “Thanks to this level of accuracy and precision, cyclists and authorities alike have the information they need to improve safety.”

Following a successful pilot programme, the initiative has launched a comprehensive commercial service. Called BikePathfinder (FietsPadvinder; article in Dutch), the service is available to road authorities and other entities working to improve cycling infrastructure and safety.

To learn more about Galileo, its services and differentiators, please register at the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) or contact the GSC Helpdesk at www.gsc-europa.eu/helpdesk.

The authors would like to thank the Prisma Groep for their help in preparing this article.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).

An initiative in the Netherlands leverages Galileo’s enhanced accuracy and positioning to conduct a comprehensive safety assessment of local bicycle paths.

The Dutch love their bikes. In fact, according to a European Commission report on quality transportation, 36% of Dutch people say biking is their preferred method for getting around.

Bolstered by a robust cycling infrastructure, including dedicated paths, protected lanes, and plenty of bicycle parking, 27% of all travel in the Netherlands is done by bike. In cities like Amsterdam and Zwolle, this percentage is even higher.

But, as impressive as these figures may be, one biking-related statistic cannot be ignored: the number of cycling accidents. According to SafetyNL, nearly 50,000 cyclists were seriously injured in 2019. With cycling continuing to grow in popularity, this number will only increase – which is why the Dutch province of Noord-Brabant decided to conduct a trial for comprehensive safety assessment of its bicycle infrastructure.

Carried out in cooperation with Royal HaskoningDHV, BAM Infra Nederland and the Prisma Groep, the initiative used Galileo alongside other technologies to create detailed and comprehensive maps of the area’s bike paths. After assessing their status and analysing traffic safety, each path was given a unique safety score.

A more accurate picture

The inventory was created by equipping bikes and riders with sensors, accelerometers, LiDAR and cameras – and of course, Galileo-enabled GNSS receivers.

Prisma Groep first trial for rider assistance

Backup sensors counts with GNSS, IMU, two velodyne scanners and five cameras

“Using Galileo means more visible satellites and thus increased signal continuity and availability,” says Erik van Duffelen, a project coordinator at the Prisma Groep. “This capability is particularly important in areas with limited line of sight, like bike paths that traverse through urban canyons or under dense tree canopies.”

As the cyclist rides around, the equipment scans the environment, capturing measurements and recording location. During post-processing, the captured data is analysed using artificial intelligence models and algorithms. The result forms the basis of a “digital twin” of the bicycle paths, which not only helps to update older maps, but also includes information about obstacles and other safety hazards. This can be used to improve cyclist safety and to inform future infrastructure development.

Surveying with integrated equipments

“Galileo gave us a more accurate picture of the bicycle paths and a more precise inventory of the cycling infrastructure,” adds van Duffelen. “Thanks to this level of accuracy and precision, cyclists and authorities alike have the information they need to improve safety.”

Sketch of the bicycles paths after processing data

Following a successful pilot programme, the initiative has launched a comprehensive commercial service. Called BikePathfinder (FietsPadvinder; article in Dutch), the service is available to road authorities and other entities working to improve cycling infrastructure and safety.

FietsPadvinder logo

To learn more about Galileo, its services and differentiators, please register at the European GNSS Service Centre (GSC) or contact the GSC Helpdesk at www.gsc-europa.eu/helpdesk.

The authors would like to thank the Prisma Groep for their help in preparing this article.

Media note: This feature can be republished without charge provided the European Union Agency for the Space Programme (EUSPA) is acknowledged as the source at the top or the bottom of the story. You must request permission before you use any of the photographs on the site. If you republish, we would be grateful if you could link back to the EUSPA website (http://www.euspa.europa.eu).