Notice: Eastern IFCA surveillance camera use (including drones)
The Authority uses video recording equipment in the course of its duties as an extra resource to supplement compliance and management responsibility for managing fisheries. This includes the use of drones and digital cameras with telescopic zooms.
Drones are Small Unmanned Aircrafts (SUA), within Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) as defined by the Civil Aviation Authority. Drones are typically miniature aircrafts controlled from the ground by a pilot; they can have various camera attachments and have recording capabilities.
The use of drones is seen widely across research and law enforcement agencies, including in the detection of crimes and the evidencing of offences. Drones can be used in dynamic environments, as a fast response to monitor, record and evidence illegal activity that may not otherwise be seen, as well as being used for routine observations and checks.
The Authority’s vessels and officers are also equipped with cameras including handheld cameras, Body Worn Video and a FLIR camera aboard Fisheries Protection Vessel PROTECTOR IV.
In all cases, information gathering will be overt and conducted by uniformed officers and / or from the Authority’s vessels. Information will only be recorded and processed when it is proportionate and necessary to do so.
Eastern IFCA will operate cameras and drones for the following purposes:
- To monitor fishing activity including in relation to compliance with relevant fisheries and environmental legislation; and
- To gather information and evidence about fishing activity and the marine environment to inform fisheries management decisions.
Drone flight operations will be undertaken in accordance with the Operation Manual developed in compliance with relevant legislation including the UK Civil Aviation Authority rules.
Images and other information recorded during drone flights will be stored on the Authority’s secure IT system. To learn more about how the Authority will use personal data collected from surveillance cameras, please read the associated Privacy notice. Please note that a separate privacy notice addresses information gathered from Body Worn Video which can be found here.