What it is
Global Fishing Watch is an open-access platform that tracks 100,000+ commercial fishing vessels from 2012 to near real-time using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data, Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) feeds, and machine learning classifiers. Users can filter by flag state, gear type, vessel size, and time period, and download custom activity reports. The platform was founded by Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google, and is now an independent international organization.
Why we picked this
Before Global Fishing Watch, illegal fishing was invisible. Now anyone with an internet connection can see where every large fishing vessel is operating, when it entered marine protected areas, and whether it is using destructive gear types. Journalists have used the platform to expose illegal fleet activity in West African waters. Governments have used it to direct patrol vessels. Researchers have used it to quantify the true scale of industrial fishing. It is the most important transparency tool in ocean conservation.
Key takeaways
- The platform tracks over 100,000 commercial fishing vessels, using machine learning to classify vessel behavior (fishing vs. transit) with 95%+ accuracy.
- Global Fishing Watch data has been cited in over 400 peer-reviewed studies and has contributed to enforcement actions in multiple countries.
- In 2023, the platform expanded to include detection of 'dark vessels' that turn off their tracking transponders, revealing that up to 25% of fishing activity globally is untracked.