Use of VIIRS DNB Satellite Images to Detect Nighttime Fishing Vessel Lights in Yellow Sea

In recent years, using satellite remote sensing data to detect nightlight of fishing vessels has become an important way for understanding the dynamics of fisheries resources and providing information for international fisheries management. In our study, we used the daily Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) day/night band (DNB) low-light remote sensing image in 2016 to detect nighttime lights in the Yellow Sea. Multiple threshold identification methods were developed to process DNB image in individual spot groups and mass-shaped spot groups, which could accurately identify lighting points in the two backgrounds. The results shown that 121,673 lighting points were identified for fishing vessels, the number of nightlights in each month could reflect seasonal changes very well. The spatial distribution hotspot map was generated with all nightlight points in 2016, which can provide a reference for understanding fishing activities in Yellow Sea.