A recent study published in the journal Nature has uncovered a startling fact: approximately 75% of the world’s industrial fishing vessels operate without public tracking, with a significant concentration of such unmonitored fishing occurring around Africa and South Asia. The study, led by the international non-profit organization Global Fishing Watch based in Washington, U.S., utilized machine learning and satellite imagery to create a comprehensive global map of large vessel traffic and offshore infrastructure.
Titled “Dark Fleets: Unveiling the Unseen World of Global Fishing and Maritime Activity,” the research not only sheds light on the lack of transparency in fishing but also reveals a broader scope of human industrial activity at sea. The findings indicate a significant gap in public monitoring systems, allowing large-scale fishing operations to go undetected.
Co-author Patrick Halpin, a professor of marine geospatial ecology at Duke University, UK, emphasizes the evolving nature of human industrial activity at sea, stating, “The footprint of the Anthropocene is no longer limited to terra firma.”
The study observes a decline in fishing activity in recent years but notes a substantial surge in offshore energy development from 2017 to 2021. Oil structures increased by 16%, while wind turbines more than doubled during this period, outnumbering oil platforms by 2021. China’s offshore wind energy, in particular, exhibited remarkable growth, increasing ninefold.
David Kroodsma, co-lead author of the study and director of research and innovation at Global Fishing Watch, describes the findings as unveiling a new industrial revolution at sea. He draws a parallel between detailed maps on land and the lack of visibility in the ocean’s growth, emphasizing that oceanic developments have been largely hidden from public view.
The researchers processed 2 million gigabytes of satellite imagery spanning 2017-2021 to observe vessels and offshore infrastructure. Using machine learning, they identified vessels not broadcasting their positions and concluded that these “dark fleets” pose significant challenges for protecting and managing natural resources.
Co-author Fernando Paolo, senior machine learning engineer at Global Fishing Watch, highlights the historical lack of documentation on vessel activity, limiting our understanding of how the ocean, a vital public resource, is being utilized.
The study emphasizes Asia’s dominance in fishing activities, challenging the misconception that Asia and Europe have similar fishing amounts within their borders. The researchers suggest that mapping vessel traffic has the potential to improve estimates of greenhouse gas emissions at sea, aiding efforts to combat climate change. Additionally, mapping offshore infrastructure trends could contribute to detecting marine pollution events and holding responsible parties accountable, according to Christian Thomas, a geospatial engineer at SkyTruth, a U.S.-based environmental watchdog and study co-author.