> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://tools.osintnewsletter.com/osint-tools/global-fishing-watch.md).

# Global Fishing Watch

Tool Description : An interactive maritime intelligence platform that uses satellite data and vessel tracking to visualise global fishing activity, vessel movements and maritime behaviour.

| **Global Fishing Watch** | **Quick Overview**                                                                                                                                                |
| ------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| URL                      | <https://globalfishingwatch.org/map/>                                                                                                                             |
| What it does             | Maps global fishing activity and vessel movements using AIS and satellite data.                                                                                   |
| How to use it            | Search for vessels or locations and analyse movements using the interactive map.                                                                                  |
| Cost                     | Free.                                                                                                                                                             |
| Account required         | No (basic map access).                                                                                                                                            |
| Cookies                  | Primarily analytics and functionality cookies, with one advertising attribution cookie.                                                                           |
| Ownership                | Independent international nonprofit organization, originally founded in 2015 as a collaborative project by 3 partner organizations: Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google. |
| Use in Reporting         | Supports maritime investigations, vessel tracking and illegal fishing assessments.                                                                                |

### What does Global Fishing Watch do?

Global Fishing Watch is an open-access maritime intelligence platform that enables you to monitor commercial fishing vessels, analyse historical tracks, identify fishing patterns and observe activity in territorial waters and the high seas.

Historical movement data and map layers help establish timelines, identify vessel interactions and support wider maritime intelligence assessments.

**The lowdown:** It provides valuable insight into maritime activity, allowing you to investigate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, sanctions evasion, smuggling routes, transshipment events, environmental crime and vessel behaviour.

### How to Use:

**1. Search for a vessel, geographic area or coordinates using the search bar.**&#x20;

<img src="https://2429831402-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3YeRsjw1gI6xxIP4cuOd%2Fuploads%2FuLGLEagHMRo5JSdWhbrU%2Funknown.png?alt=media&amp;token=72d5234e-c2cb-4183-b9f7-c9dc0bded294" alt="" height="383" width="602">

**2. Use map layers, filters and the timeline controls to examine vessel tracks, fishing activity, port visits and historical movement patterns.**

<img src="https://2429831402-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3YeRsjw1gI6xxIP4cuOd%2Fuploads%2FPucDMyNl4f9jKl6hPLNL%2Funknown.png?alt=media&amp;token=4fb600f4-5e00-4b4a-80b5-a642170fc2e1" alt="" height="312" width="602">

<img src="https://2429831402-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F3YeRsjw1gI6xxIP4cuOd%2Fuploads%2F352xSaBz8oBJdWM6nW1t%2Funknown.png?alt=media&amp;token=86ad146d-312c-40b2-8c2c-c9690d537f82" alt="" height="643" width="602">

**3. Export or document relevant observations and corroborate findings with AIS databases, satellite imagery, sanctions lists and vessel registries before reporting.**&#x20;

### Cost

* [x] Free
* [ ] Partially Free
* [ ] Paid

## Data Processing

### Account Required:

* [ ] Yes
* [x] No

### Cookies:&#x20;

The site uses Google Analytics cookies (*ga*\*) to collect anonymous usage statistics, a Google Ads attribution cookie (\_gcl\_au) to measure marketing effectiveness, and functional cookies to remember language preferences (i18next) and interface settings (panelWidths). An additional analytics cookie records the visitor's initial traffic source.&#x20;

These cookies support website performance, analytics and user experience rather than investigative functionality.

### Use in Reporting

Global Fishing Watch can be used to:

* Track fishing vessel movements over time.
* Investigate illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity.
* Identify potential ship-to-ship (transshipment) interactions.
* Support sanctions evasion and maritime smuggling investigations.
* Develop timelines of vessel movements and operational patterns.
* Corroborate maritime intelligence obtained from AIS databases and satellite imagery.

You can [view success stories here.](https://globalfishingwatch.org/success-stories/)

<table data-header-hidden><thead><tr><th width="261.6666259765625"></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Capabilities</strong></td><td><strong>Limitations</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Visualises global fishing vessel activity using interactive maps.</td><td>Coverage depends on AIS transmissions. Vessels that disable AIS or spoof signals may not be visible.</td></tr><tr><td>Provides historical vessel tracks and movement timelines.</td><td>Some fishing activity is inferred using machine learning and should not be considered definitive evidence.</td></tr><tr><td>Combines AIS data with satellite imagery and machine learning.</td><td>Smaller vessels operating without AIS are often absent from the platform.</td></tr><tr><td>Allows filtering by vessel type, location, date and activity. </td><td>Satellite coverage and data refresh rates may vary by location.</td></tr><tr><td>Integrates well with other maritime OSINT and vessel intelligence tools.</td><td>Advanced datasets and APIs may require registration or approval.</td></tr></tbody></table>

### Summary

Global Fishing Watch is a powerful maritime OSINT platform, best used during the geospatial analysis, movement analysis and intelligence enrichment phases of the OSINT workflow.&#x20;

**Note:** Its findings should be validated with complementary sources such as MarineTraffic, VesselFinder, sanctions databases, satellite imagery and official vessel registries.

### Ownership

Independent international nonprofit organization, originally founded in 2015 as a collaborative project by 3 partner organizations: Oceana, SkyTruth, and Google. [Tony Long](https://globalfishingwatch.org/tony-long/) is the current CEO.

### Ethical Considerations

* AIS data may be incomplete, delayed or intentionally manipulated.
* Machine-learning classifications should not be treated as conclusive evidence.
* Consider legitimate operational reasons for unusual vessel behaviour.
* Respect licensing and data usage restrictions when reproducing maps or datasets.

### Related Tools:

* [MarineTraffic](/osint-tools/marinetraffic.md)
* VesselFinder
* [Import Yeti](/osint-tools/import-yeti.md)
* [Global Forest Watch](/osint-tools/global-forest-watch.md)

#### Sources

<https://globalfishingwatch.org/map/>&#x20;

<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_Fishing_Watch>&#x20;

<https://globalfishingwatch.org/tony-long/>&#x20;

<https://globalfishingwatch.org/success-stories/>&#x20;