A groundbreaking study published in the journal Nature by Global Fishing Watch reveals that 75 percent of the world’s industrial fishing vessels are hidden from public view. Using machine learning and satellite imagery, the study creates the first global map of large vessel traffic and offshore infrastructure, exposing a significant amount of activity that was previously unknown. The study also highlights the dominance of Asia in fishing activity, challenges in protecting marine protected areas, and the changing dynamics of human activity at sea. The research has significant implications for understanding climate change and informing ocean management and transparency. A variety of organizations, including Bloomberg Philanthropies and National Geographic Pristine Seas, supported the study.
https://globalfishingwatch.org/press-release/new-research-harnesses-ai-and-satellite-imagery-to-reveal-the-expanding-footprint-of-human-activity-at-sea/