AI and Satellite Imagery Reveal 'Dark' Industrial Activity at Sea

Three-quarters of world's industrial fishing vessels untracked, highlighting significant blind spots in ocean management.

New research led by Global Fishing Watch has revealed that 75% of the world's industrial fishing vessels and a quarter of transport and energy ships are not publicly tracked, leading to significant blind spots in our understanding of human activity at sea.
The study used AI and satellite imagery to create the first global map of large vessel traffic and offshore infrastructure, uncovering a vast amount of previously 'dark' industrial activity.
The research also highlighted rapid growth in offshore energy development, with wind turbines outnumbering oil structures by 2021. China's offshore wind energy increased ninefold from 2017 to 2021.
Much of the 'dark' activity was found around Africa and South Asia, with numerous untracked fishing vessels detected inside many marine protected areas.
The study's findings could help improve ocean management and transparency, aiding efforts to protect marine resources and estimate greenhouse gas emissions at sea.