On July 6, 2026, Ground Control, a provider of satellite and hybrid IoT connectivity, announced that its RockFLEET tracking technology will be utilized in France’s new coastal fishing vessel monitoring program. This initiative, overseen by parent company CLS, aims to implement certified tracking solutions across the country’s small-scale artisanal fishing fleet.
As part of broader European fisheries control reforms, new French regulations mandate that all coastal fishing vessels under 12 meters must install approved satellite tracking devices between 2026 and 2028. These measures are intended to enhance the traceability of fishing activities, bolster regional fisheries management, and ensure the sustainable use of marine resources through informed decision-making.
The RockFLEET platform is designed for harsh marine environments, featuring dual-mode network routing that combines local cellular coverage with automatic switching to the global Iridium satellite network. It also includes integrated LTE Narrowband connectivity for cost-effective data routing and offers remote device management through cloud-hosted dashboards.
Alastair MacLeod, CEO of Ground Control, emphasized the importance of reliable information for sustainable fisheries management. He noted that RockFLEET addresses the challenges of maintaining visibility for coastal fleets by ensuring continuous reporting, regardless of terrestrial coverage. The deployment of monitoring beacons will occur in phases leading up to the 2028 regulatory deadline, marking a significant expansion of the technology developed by CLS.
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