The tuna vessels with foreign flags moored at the Ecuadorian port of Manta are using helicopters to ensure their tuna fishing activities overseas. Each tuna vessel has its own heliport on deck.
The helicopter flies over the tuna fishing grounds, a common and frequent maneuver in several areas of the Oriental Pacific Ocean. A crew member of the tuna vessel “Lucile†with Colombian flag, says that the helicopter “enables them to get to areas where they couldn’t possibly dream of reaching in such a short period of timeâ€.
When the tuna vessels have been sailing back and forth in search of tuna and have not been successful, the captain then decides to use this air technology. He decides where and how the helicopter pilot is to perform. Once the area is outlined, the pilot heads out in search of yellowfin tuna banks, accompanied by a fisherman who will act as observer.
According to a tuna industrialist from Manta, the helicopter is an appropriate tool for overseas fishing. The fleets from Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Guatemala and United States of America are all using it.
The industrialist also said that the helicopters usually follow the dolphins when looking for yellowfin tuna because they normally swim together.
The observers in the helicopters are the key-factor in this operation. After having spot the tuna, they send a radio message to the vessel, which sails to the location and commence its tuna fishing activities.