Global Fishing Watch.
Tompkins Conservation overcame objections to creating Argentina's first-ever Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) by using a video of Global Fishing Watch data. Supporters of the MPAs were able to prove there would be no adverse effect on the country’s fishing industry if they were established.
Tracking boat behaviors.
Using GPS data to detect patterns and identify illegal activity, from fishing in restricted areas to capturing endangered species or even human trafficking.
Ocean protection planning.
Harnessing the data and technology revolution to support the effective design, management, and monitoring of marine protected areas. Only 3% is a MPA; the aim is 10%.
Data-informed policy.
More and more countries are opening their fishing data to the system, creating deeper transparency and accountability.
At the heart of Global Fishing Watch is a map that glows with the ebb and flow of nearly 150,000 fishing vessels traversing our oceans. Each dot represents a signal broadcast from one of those vessels. Visualizing the millions of data points they represent was a challenge that required innovative use of technology that’s normally associated with computer games. We designed and developed the first version of Global Fishing Watch, helping the GFW team land and establish themselves internally as they progressed the platform.
