Untracked Fishing Vessels Revealed by Sentinel-1 and AI Collaboration
24 January 2024
In an extraordinary revelation, a groundbreaking study combining satellite data and Artificial Intelligence (AI) has uncovered a startling truth: around 75% of the world’s industrial fishing vessels have previously evaded public tracking systems. Published in the prestigious journal Nature, this study was spearheaded by Global Fishing Watch, an organization dedicated to promoting ocean governance through enhanced transparency of human activities at sea.
Research Methodology
The study harnessed five years’ worth of radar data from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 mission, optical data from Sentinel-2, and GPS information to identify vessels that had not declared their positions. Subsequently, machine learning techniques were employed to distinguish fishing vessels from other types of vessels. The research spanned 2017-2021 and encompassed coastal waters across six continents, covering areas with significant fishing and offshore infrastructure activities.
Key Findings
The study’s findings were astonishing. It revealed the presence of numerous dark fishing vessels operating within marine protected areas, as well as a high concentration of vessels in waters that previously exhibited minimal or no vessel activity according to public monitoring systems. Furthermore, the study uncovered that over 25% of transport and energy vessel activities were also absent from tracking systems.
Implications for Ocean Governance
The study’s findings have significant implications for ocean governance and the management of marine resources. It highlights the need for enhanced transparency and monitoring of fishing activities to combat illegal fishing and promote sustainable fishing practices. Additionally, the study provides valuable insights into greenhouse gas emissions at sea, contributing to efforts to mitigate climate change.
Statements from Key Figures
David Kroodsma, Director of Research and Innovation at Global Fishing Watch, emphasized the study’s significance in uncovering hidden industrial activities at sea. Fernando Paolo, Senior Machine Learning Engineer at Global Fishing Watch, highlighted the combination of space technology and AI in mapping undisclosed industrial activities on an unprecedented scale. Jennifer Raynor, Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Economics at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, stressed the dominance of Asia in global industrial fishing, with seven out of ten fishing vessels found on the water being from Asia, compared to only one from Europe. Nuno Miranda, ESA’s Copernicus Sentinel-1 Mission Manager, expressed surprise at the study’s findings, emphasizing the critical role of Sentinel-1 in achieving these remarkable results.
Offshore Infrastructure and Development Trends
The study also examined offshore infrastructure, including wind turbines and oil platforms. During the study period, oil structures increased by 16%, while wind turbines more than doubled, surpassing oil platforms in numbers by 2021. China’s offshore wind energy sector experienced remarkable growth, increasing ninefold between 2017 and 2021. This information is crucial for understanding development impacts and trends in the offshore infrastructure sector.
Conclusion
The groundbreaking study combining Sentinel-1 data, AI, and machine learning techniques has provided unprecedented insights into global industrial fishing activities and offshore infrastructure development. The findings underscore the importance of enhanced transparency, improved monitoring systems, and sustainable practices in ocean governance. This study contributes to efforts to protect marine resources, combat illegal fishing, and mitigate climate change, ultimately promoting a healthier and more sustainable marine environment.
Call to Action:
The revelations from this study demand immediate action to address the issue of untracked fishing vessels. Governments, international organizations, and industry stakeholders must collaborate to implement effective monitoring and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring that all fishing vessels are tracked and their activities are transparent. By working together, we can promote sustainable fishing practices, protect marine ecosystems, and safeguard the livelihoods of coastal communities.