Global Fishing Watch advances ocean governance through increased transparency of human activity at sea, believing that such activity should be common knowledge in order to safeguard the global ocean commons for the common good of all. Despite the ocean’s importance and the threats it faces from intensive human activity and climate change, it remains the least observed part of our planet with no global picture of all human activity at sea. Global Fishing Watch creates and publicly shares map visualizations, data, and analysis tools using cutting-edge technology to turn big data into actionable information—shared freely to accelerate science and drive fairer, smarter policies that reward good behavior and protect biodiversity, fisheries, and livelihoods. By 2030, the organization aims to monitor and visualize the impact of ocean-going vessels responsible for the vast majority of the global seafood catch.
Why It Matters: We cannot truly understand humanity’s impact on life below water—or govern the ocean fairly—without seeing what is actually happening at sea, and transparency is the foundation for effective governance of marine resources. By making information about human activity publicly available and free rather than proprietary, the organization enables scientific research and policy transformation that would otherwise be impossible, creating conditions where good behavior can be recognized and rewarded. The vision of a healthy, productive, and resilient ocean depends on visibility into the activities currently hidden from view, making transparency not just a value but a prerequisite for sustainable development and biodiversity protection.
