A standard processing framework for the location data of satellite-linked buoys on drifting fish aggregating devices

Satellite-linked buoys used by tropical tuna purse-seine vessels on drifting fish aggregating devices (DFADs) provide a continuous stream of information both the ocean characteristics and presence size aggregations associated with DFADs, enabling study pelagic communities. This unprecedented amount data is characterized ocean-scale coverage high spatial temporal resolutions, but also different formats specifications depending buoy model brand, as well type exchange agreements into play. Their use for scientific management purposes therefore critically dependent abilities algorithms to process heterogeneous resolutions. paper proposes unified set processing location two major purse seine fleets operating in Atlantic Indian oceans. Three main issues that need be addressed prior exploitation are identified (structural errors, records land on-board vessels) five specific filtering criteria proposed improve cleaning and, hence, quality. Different procedures compared, their advantages limitations discussed.