VIIRS, or Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite, is a method of boat detection via low light imaging data. The first VIIRS was launched in 2011 and the second in 2017. NOAA’s Earth Observation Group produces a nightly global mapping of VIIRS boat detections, which are available for open access download. VIIRS satellite uses highly sensitive optical sensors to see lights at night, thus being able to identify vessels that use light to attract catch, such as most industrial squid vessels and some types of purse seines that use lights.
FAQs
- What vessels are required to use AIS? What are global regulations and requirements for vessels to carry AIS?
- What is AIS?
- Does Global Fishing Watch track illegal activity? Has Global Fishing Watch ever identified illegal fishing activity?
- What are the different vessel tracking systems out there and how can they be used together?
- What is the significance of the EEZs?