We can’t manage what we can’t see.
The ocean is one of the world’s most important shared resources, yet much of what happens at sea remains invisible. Today, about 75 percent of industrial fishing vessels do not appear in public monitoring systems. This lack of transparency creates major blind spots for governments, fisheries managers and coastal communities working to protect marine ecosystems and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Without reliable vessel tracking, authorities struggle to monitor activity across vast ocean areas, detect illegal behavior and enforce regulations effectively. Current vessel tracking systems are fragmented and inconsistent, with uneven tracking requirements between countries creating significant gaps in coverage and accountability. As a result, many vessels operate with little or no public visibility.
This lack of transparency makes it harder to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing — one of the greatest threats to ocean sustainability. Without accurate and accessible tracking data, illegal activity can go undetected, conservation efforts are weakened and enforcement resources become overstretched.
Vessel tracking provides critical information about where vessels are operating, how long they remain in specific areas and what activities they may be conducting. This data supports monitoring, control and surveillance of fishing activity, strengthens marine conservation efforts and enables more informed decision-making.
Publicly accessible tracking data also creates greater accountability by shifting the burden toward vessel operators to demonstrate compliance with regulations.
A global agreement on public vessel tracking would establish a standardized framework for transparency at sea. Harmonized tracking requirements and accessible data would strengthen enforcement, support international cooperation and improve ocean governance worldwide.
The future of sustainable fisheries depends on transparency. It’s time for a global standard on public vessel tracking.
