Google Global Fishing Watch system may catch IUU vessels if they don't turn off their satellite trackers
SEAFOODNEWS.COM [Dow Jones] By Lucy Craymer - November 14, 2014 -
Google Inc. has teamed up with mapping company SkyTruth and marine-advocacy group Oceana to create a new tool aimed at reining in illegal fishing world-wide.
A prototype of the technology called Global Fishing Watch was launched Friday in Sydney. It will allow the public to view online where fishing boats are operating around the globe. The developers say they hope the tool will give governments, non-government organizations and the public the ability to monitor where illegal fishing is taking place.
While the technology can't prevent instances of illegal fishing, making the information publicly available could help governments police commercial fishing, said Jackie Savitz, vice president of U.S. Oceans for Oceana. In countries with governments less willing or able to prevent overfishing, the public will have more knowledge to pressure them, she said.
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