Global Fishing Watch is a nonprofit organization founded in 2017 with a mission to advance ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea. It uses cutting-edge technology to transform big data into actionable information and publicly share map visualizations, data, and analysis tools. This transparency aims to enable scientific research and drive a transformation in how the ocean is managed globally.
The organization’s purpose is to create and publicly share knowledge about human activities at sea to enable the fair and sustainable use of ocean resources. Its vision is a healthy, productive, and resilient ocean where transparency fosters fair and effective governance supporting biodiversity and sustainable development.
Global Fishing Watch partners with leading scientific institutions to produce open-source datasets and analyses that address critical ocean challenges. It focuses on monitoring the impact of both industrial and small-scale ocean-going vessels, which are responsible for the majority of the global seafood catch. By promoting transparency, it helps governments monitor vessel activities more cost-effectively and supports compliance verification.
The organization’s efforts have contributed to international policy advancements, including recognition by the United Nations General Assembly of transparency as a standard practice to combat illegal fishing. Through its open-access data and tools, Global Fishing Watch aims to drive smarter policies and practices that reward responsible behavior and protect marine biodiversity, fisheries, and livelihoods.