Fishing Drones Market Size

Fishing Drones Market Size

Fishing Drones Market was valued at USD 824.8 million in 2023 and is anticipated to register a CAGR of over 12% between 2024 and 2032. The growth of the market can be attributed to the rise in fishing activities across the globe.

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According to the 2024 edition of the State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA), by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (UN), global fisheries and aquaculture production increased to over 220 million tons in 2022, showing a 4.4% increase from the year 2020. The production consisted of over 180 million tons of aquatic animals and around 40 million tons of algae. This growing fishing activity increases the demand for efficiency in fishing operations which can be fulfilled by fishing drones.  
 

In addition, fishing drones enable fishermen to monitor and locate fish schools more efficiently than traditional methods. This capability significantly enhances catch rates and reduces fuel costs by optimizing fishing routes and targeting productive fishing grounds directly.
 

Companies operating in the market are launching innovative low-cost fishing drones to enhance the fishing experience and make it affordable for a wider range of customers. This is expected to support the growth of the adoption of fishing drones globally. For instance, in December 2023, Urban Drones collaborated with SwellPro to launch FD3, a waterproof fishing drone offering precision bait delivery, dual bait release, and a wide range of innovative features. The drones are designed for sport fishermen to provide them with modern drone technology at low prices and enhance their fishing experience. The company has priced the retail price of the new basic drone and the advanced version, at around USD 1,600 and USD 1,900 respectively.
 

The major factors hindering the growth of the market include regulatory and legal challenges. Many regions have regulations regarding drone usage such as restrictions on flying over water bodies, requirements for permits, and distance limitations from people or vessels. Drones operating over water must comply with these regulations, which can be complex and vary across different regions and further limit the operational flexibility of fishing drones. Also, the initial investment cost deters potential users, especially recreational anglers who are not willing to invest heavily in such technology, thus hampering the market growth.