Loughs Agency is a cross-border organisation responsible for sustainably managing, promoting and developing fisheries and marine resources in the Foyle and Carlingford areas.  The organisation had been using ArcGIS Server technology for many years, but with growing numbers of users and ambitious plans for the future, it wanted to upgrade and upscale this core business system. 

At the time, Loughs Agency was using hand-held GPS devices and third-party software to collect data in the field, an approach that required time-consuming data processing.  One of the key goals of the upgrade project, therefore, was to shorten the time between collecting data in the field and being able to use it to inform operational and strategic decisions.  

Real-time access to data
Data captured in the field using ArcGIS Survey123 or ArcGIS Field Maps is now available immediately to staff via ArcGIS Enterprise map viewers and dashboards.  Previously, survey results took many weeks to reach staff, and some data was not available until the end of the season, but now staff can be confident that they are making decisions based on the latest information.  They have instant access to the data they need and can also share relevant, up-to-date information with stakeholders.

Efficient management of resources
With ArcGIS Dashboards, staff have better oversight of survey projects while they are in progress and can consequently manage resources more efficiently.  For instance, in the annual electrofishing survey, when juvenile salmon are counted at up to 500 locations, managers can monitor the progress of the five fishing crews and quickly reallocate crews to different locations, if necessary, to ensure all surveys are conducted in the correct time period. 

400% more data processed in half the time
While the amount of data collected in the field has quadrupled, the time needed to process data has been cut in half.  Scott notes that previously 40% of her time was consumed by the field data collection programme, and this has reduced to 20%, even though the number of surveys, map viewers and dashboards has increased.  “ArcGIS has freed up my time to work on exciting new projects such as 2D and 3D drone imagery,” notes Scott.

A positive user experience
The 70 members of staff who work at Loughs Agency are very positive about the changes that have been introduced since the migration to ArcGIS Enterprise.  They find it easier to collect data in the field and faster to find information via the centralised Map Portal.  A new app for checking if anglers have the correct fishing licences has been particularly well received by staff as it shows them straight away if anglers have a licence, even if they only bought the licence ten minutes before.

Active engagement with stakeholders
Loughs Agency has been able to use ArcGIS Survey123 to initiate exciting new citizen science and outreach programmes that actively engage a range of stakeholders.  An ArcGIS Survey123 app called Waterwatch, for example, allows members of the public to pinpoint the locations of illegal fishing or pollution incidents on a map, add photos and supply details.  The agency’s fishery staff get notified straight away, allowing them to take fast, appropriate action to conserve precious marine and freshwater environments.