VIIRS, or Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, is a method of vessel detection via low light imaging data. The first VIIRS was launched in 2011. NOAA’s Earth Observation Group produces a nightly global mapping of VIIRS boat detections. VIIRS satellite uses highly sensitive optical sensors to see lights at night, thus identifying vessels that use light to attract catch, such as most industrial squid vessels and some types of purse seines that use lights.
