Global Fishing Watch at the 11th Our Ocean Conference

Hosted by the government of Kenya from June 16-18 in the coastal city of Mombasa, the 11th Our Ocean Conference will mark the first time the conference is held on African soil. The conference convenes under the theme “Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future” and will explore the vital link between the ocean’s health and humanity’s prosperity. Envisioned as a defining moment for driving decisive action against the growing threats of biodiversity loss and illegal fishing, the Our Ocean Conference unites governments, businesses and civil society to address the urgent challenges facing our shared waters and build a sustainable future for coastal communities.

Transforming ocean governance with transparency and technology

We can’t manage what we can’t see. That is why transparency is no longer an option — it is a prerequisite for good ocean governance. Transparency means making ocean and vessel information, including tracking data, ownership information, fisheries authorisations and related decision-making processes, openly accessible to everyone. This, in turn, will help drive fairer, smarter policies that protect our ocean and those whose livelihoods depend on it.

Across the global ocean, much of human activity continues to take place beyond public view and outside effective oversight. That is why at this year’s Our Ocean Conference, Global Fishing Watch is calling on governments to increase public vessel tracking systems to show activity at sea; mandate International Maritime Organization Ship Identification Numbers to establish transparent vessel identity; and improve access to ultimate beneficial ownership data to reveal those truly profiting from fishing activities. 

Follow Us

Help us shine a light on human activity at sea

Bluesky

Join the Conversation

The future of our ocean is supported by the power of shared information. By following Global Fishing Watch on social media, you’re joining an international community dedicated to championing transparency and advancing responsible ocean stewardship. Stay updated with real-time insights, groundbreaking research and stories of positive impact from the front lines of ocean governance.

Conference Events

Global Fishing Watch will be on the ground at this year’s conference to present our work across a number of key events. Find our event schedule below.

Scaling Fisheries Transparency from Africa to the World

  • June 17
  • 13:00 - 14:15
  • TBD

Join us for a side event featuring African government leaders as they showcase how transparency reforms are transforming ocean governance. This session will highlight how regional cooperation and political ambition are being translated into practical, on-the-ground actions such as combating illegal fishing, improving resource management and safeguarding the livelihoods of coastal communities.

We are proud to co-host this event alongside:

Academic and Research Symposium

Strengthening Maritime Security through Innovation and Technology

Ocean transparency requires innovation. Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch, will deliver the keynote speech, sharing insights on how leveraging satellite technology and machine learning can support the fight against illegal fishing, help restore ecosystems and bolster efforts to protect global commerce, marine infrastructure and national security.

Satellite Imagery Reveals Small-Scale Fishing Activity and Industrial Encroachment Across Africa

  • June 15
  • TBD
  • Shimba Hall – Room B

Global Fishing Watch chief scientist, David Kroodsma, will present groundbreaking new research demonstrating how satellite imagery can reveal activity previously too small to detect through traditional tracking systems. Using 1.8 petabytes of high-resolution PlanetScope satellite imagery alongside Sentinel-2 and automatic identification system, or AIS, tracking, the study detects over 30,000 small vessels across Africa’s coastline.  In revealing where small-scale and industrial vessels overlap and compete off the coast of countries such as  Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Mauritania, Madagascar and Tunisia, Global Fishing Watch seeks to show how these new monitoring capabilities can improve the understanding of coastal fisheries to support effective management. 

Youth Leadership Summit

Intergenerational Dialogue on the Implementation of Youth Priorities

To secure the future of our ocean, we must bridge the gap between current decision makers and the youth leaders who will inherit the planet. This vital dialogue, moderated by Global Fishing Watch CEO, Tony Long, will focus on turning youth priorities into actionable policies. By fostering collaboration across generations, we can ensure that the ambition and rights of the next generation are deeply embedded in global ocean governance and sustainability frameworks.

Contacts:

Andrew Zaganelli Giacalone, senior manager, communications,
[email protected]

Scroll to Top