Satellite technology can increasingly track vessels across the world’s oceans and has the ability to detect industrial fishing inside marine protected areas (MPAs).
But new research has suggested that regulations governing these often vulnerable parts of our planet could be preventing global authorities from turning satellite detection into effective enforcement.
Led by researchers at the University of Plymouth, the study analysed the rules governing almost 10,000 MPAs covering parts of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Oceania, as well as around 120 pieces of national legislation.
The aim was to assess whether the current wording of international regulations was supporting or restricting satellite-based enforcement, with authorities needing clear legal rules that specify how electronic evidence can be used.
However, the researchers found such clarity was not being provided in the vast majority of cases with only 4% of the legislation they examined containing specific reference to satellites and vessel tracking. Meanwhile, 61% of the legislation use discretionary wording such as “may” or “should”, while a third contain no references to clear prohibition.
He said that at a time when nations are working towards the goal of protecting 30% of the global ocean by 2030, the findings highlight a disconnect between advances in monitoring technology and the regulations intended to protect the oceans.
Dr Fabio Favoretto
