Certified Specialist – Ethical AI in Fisheries

1. Training Introduction

The application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fisheries—such as stock assessment, vessel monitoring, traceability, decision support, and automation—offers significant opportunities for improving sustainability, efficiency, and transparency. However, the use of AI also raises critical ethical, social, legal, and environmental concerns, including data privacy, algorithmic bias, accountability, inclusiveness, and impacts on fishing communities.

The Certified Specialist – Ethical AI in Fisheries programme is designed to build specialized capacity in the responsible, transparent, and ethical design, deployment, and governance of AI systems within fisheries and aquaculture contexts. The programme bridges fisheries science, digital innovation, and ethics to support trustworthy and socially responsible AI adoption.

 

2. Training Objective

The objectives of this certification programme are to:

• Build foundational and applied understanding of AI ethics in fisheries
• Promote responsible, transparent, and inclusive use of AI technologies
• Strengthen capacity to assess ethical risks and impacts of AI systems
• Support compliance with ethical guidelines, governance frameworks, and best practices
• Prepare participants to act as ethical AI champions in fisheries institutions and projects

 

3. Targeted Group

This programme is designed for:

• Fisheries and aquaculture professionals using digital or AI tools
• Fisheries managers, MCS officers, and policy practitioners
• Data, ICT, and AI professionals working in fisheries-related projects
• NGO, development, and sustainability officers
• Quality assurance, traceability, and compliance personnel
• Graduates and professionals in fisheries, environmental science, data science, or ICT

Basic understanding of fisheries or digital systems is recommended; no advanced AI coding skills are required.

 

4. Course Duration

• Total Modules: 8
• Training Period: 2 weeks
• Total Contact Hours: 50–70 hours
• Mode of Delivery: Online, in-person, or blended professional learning

 

5. Training Methodology

The programme adopts a multidisciplinary and applied learning approach, including:

• Expert-led lectures and interactive presentations
• Case studies on AI use in fisheries and natural resource management
• Scenario-based ethical analysis and group discussions
• Practical exercises on ethical risk identification and mitigation
• Policy and framework reviews
• Assignments, quizzes, and final assessment

 

6. Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to AI in Fisheries

• Overview of AI applications in fisheries and aquaculture
• Benefits, opportunities, and challenges of AI adoption
• Role of ethics in digital fisheries transformation

Module 2: Foundations of Ethical AI

• Core principles of ethical AI (fairness, transparency, accountability)
• Responsible innovation concepts
• Human-centered and values-based AI design

Module 3: Data Ethics and Governance in Fisheries

• Fisheries data types and sources
• Data ownership, consent, and privacy
• Data quality, bias, and representativeness

Module 4: Algorithmic Bias, Fairness, and Inclusiveness

• Sources of bias in AI systems
• Impacts on small-scale fishers and vulnerable groups
• Strategies for fairness, inclusiveness, and equity

Module 5: Transparency, Explainability, and Accountability

• Explainable AI concepts
• Accountability in AI-supported decision-making
• Documentation and auditability of AI systems

Module 6: Ethical Risk Assessment and Impact Evaluation

• Identifying ethical risks in AI deployments
• Social, environmental, and economic impact assessment
• Risk mitigation and ethical safeguards

Module 7: Governance, Policy, and Responsible Deployment

• Ethical AI governance frameworks
• Institutional roles and responsibilities
• Compliance, oversight, and continuous monitoring

Module 8: Case Studies, Best Practices, and Professional Practice

• Real-world case studies of AI in fisheries
• Lessons learned and best practices
• Role of the Certified Ethical AI Specialist in fisheries

 

7. Expected Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Explain ethical principles and challenges of AI in fisheries
• Identify and assess ethical risks in AI-based fisheries systems
• Support transparent, fair, and accountable AI deployment
• Contribute to ethical governance and policy development
• Act as ethical AI focal points within fisheries organizations and projects

 

8. Certificate of Completion

Participants who:

• Successfully complete all 8 modules
• Fulfill assessment and participation requirements
• Demonstrate competence in ethical AI principles and application

will be awarded a:

Certified Specialist – Ethical AI in Fisheries

Issued by:

FOTADE Training, Research and Resource Development Centre

This certificate recognizes the holder’s specialized competence in ethical AI principles and their application within fisheries and aquaculture systems, supporting leadership and professional advancement in digital fisheries governance