A recent study by Global Fishing Watch has revealed an enormous amount of previously untracked vessel activity at sea, underscoring the hidden dynamics of the world’s oceans. Spanning over 70% of the Earth’s surface, the ocean is vital to global trade, food supplies, and energy production. Yet much of its activity remains shrouded in mystery.
Using satellite imagery, vessel GPS data, and artificial intelligence, researchers have mapped industrial vessel movements and offshore energy infrastructure in unprecedented detail. Their findings expose significant gaps in public tracking systems, raising concerns about maritime transparency, environmental sustainability, and global security.
The Shadowy World of Dark Vessels
For years, governments and maritime organizations have depended on the Automatic Identification System (AIS) to track vessel movements. While AIS provides a valuable tool for monitoring registered ships, it has notable limitations.
Many countries do not mandate its use, and vessels engaging in illegal fishing, smuggling, or other illicit activities often disable their transponders to avoid detection. The study found that 72% to 76% of the world’s industrial fishing vessels remain untracked, revealing the scale of hidden fishing operations. Furthermore, 21% to 30% of transport and energy vessel activity also goes unmonitored, highlighting the extent of undisclosed industrial use of the ocean.
Regions of Concern
The study identified South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the northern and western coasts of Africa as areas with the most untracked activity. These regions, rich in marine biodiversity, are plagued by illegal fishing, overexploitation, and environmental degradation.
Without reliable tracking, it becomes increasingly difficult for governments and conservationists to enforce regulations, protect marine ecosystems, and monitor maritime security. Over a billion people rely on the ocean as their primary food source, and 260 million are employed by global marine fisheries. With 80% of global goods transported via ocean routes and nearly 30% of oil production occurring offshore, the lack of effective tracking allows illegal activities, including forced labor and human trafficking, to persist unchecked.
AI and Satellite Technology to the Rescue
To address the shortcomings of AIS, researchers utilized artificial intelligence and satellite imagery. By analyzing two petabytes of data from the European Space Agency’s Sentinel-1 satellites, deep learning models accurately detected and classified vessels.
Three deep convolutional neural networks were developed and trained to process satellite imagery and GPS data. These models achieved remarkable accuracy: over 97% for object detection, 98% for identifying offshore infrastructure, and 90% for distinguishing fishing vessels from other types.
Unveiling Hidden Vessel Activity
The dataset for this study was extensive, incorporating 67 million image tiles and 53 billion AIS positions. The high-resolution radar images enabled researchers to track industrial fishing vessels, tankers, and offshore infrastructure with clarity.
“Our satellite mapping revealed high densities of vessel activity in large areas of the ocean that previously showed little to no vessel activity by public tracking systems,” the researchers stated.
These revelations have transformed our understanding of global maritime activity. This advanced tracking system can help pinpoint illegal fishing hotspots, identify human rights violations, and enhance the enforcement of marine protected areas (MPAs).
Offshore Energy: Wind vs. Oil
Beyond vessel movements, the study also highlighted the rapid expansion of offshore energy infrastructure. By 2021, offshore wind turbines outnumbered oil platforms, signifying a shift toward renewable energy. Wind energy accounted for 48% of offshore structures, while oil installations represented 38%.
Despite this progress, oil-related vessel traffic remains dominant, with oil platforms generating five times more vessel activity than wind farms. While the transition to renewable energy is underway, oil continues to play a significant role in maritime operations.
Energy Infrastructure Growth
The study revealed that offshore wind farms are concentrated in northern Europe (52%) and China (45%), with China experiencing a 900% increase in offshore wind turbines between 2017 and 2021. Offshore oil platforms, meanwhile, are primarily located in the Gulf of Mexico, the Persian Gulf, and Southeast Asia, with the United States, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia leading in installations.
The interaction between these energy infrastructures and existing maritime industries is complex. For example, trawlers avoid fishing within one kilometer of oil platforms to prevent net entanglement. However, other fishing activities increase near these structures, which often act as artificial reefs, attracting marine life.
Revolutionizing Maritime Surveillance
New AI-driven technologies promise to revolutionize real-time ship detection. The Rapid Earth Monitoring Information System (REMIS), developed in partnership with ESA and other organizations, offers real-time vessel tracking capabilities.
Traditional satellite monitoring involves lengthy processes of downlinking and analyzing data, often taking days. By the time authorities receive the information, dark vessels may have moved on. REMIS addresses this issue by pre-filtering images in space and prioritizing those containing ships.
“If we can already identify ships onboard and potentially even combine it with AI systems, we could mark dark vessels and prioritize the scenes containing ships or their locations,” said Maris Tali, a technical officer involved in the project.
This technology will prove invaluable for combating illegal fishing, preventing ship collisions, and managing maritime traffic during emergencies.
The Pandemic’s Impact on Fishing Activity
The study also examined how COVID-19 influenced maritime activity. Global fishing activity decreased by 12% in 2020 and has not returned to pre-pandemic levels. However, transport and energy-related vessel activity remained steady during the same period.
This decline in fishing is part of a broader trend. Since the 1980s, global marine fish catches have stagnated as many fisheries have reached sustainable limits. Meanwhile, offshore energy and maritime trade continue to grow, reshaping human interactions with the ocean.
Call for Greater Transparency
The findings underscore the urgent need for increased transparency in maritime activity. With three-quarters of industrial fishing operations hidden from public tracking, stricter regulations and better enforcement are essential.
AI-powered satellite monitoring and systems like REMIS offer powerful tools to combat illegal fishing and improve ocean governance. As human activity in the ocean expands, accountability, sustainability, and international cooperation are crucial.
By shedding light on the shadowy activities in the ocean, this study marks a significant step toward a more transparent and sustainable future.