Planet and Global Fishing Watch advance ocean monitoring with expanded collaboration

Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025

Planet and Global Fishing Watch advance ocean monitoring with expanded collaboration
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Nov 21, 2024

Planet Labs PBC (NYSE: PL), a leader in Earth data and analytics, has announced an expanded partnership with Global Fishing Watch, a nonprofit focused on ocean governance through increased transparency of human activities at sea. The newly signed six-figure agreement enhances their existing collaboration, allowing Global Fishing Watch to leverage PlanetScope satellite data and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to promote better compliance and accountability across maritime sectors.

The enhanced partnership broadens Global Fishing Watch's use of PlanetScope's 3-meter optical imagery, covering vast stretches of global coastlines. This increased capability will enable the organization to track small vessel activities across millions of square kilometers of ocean, including areas far from shorelines. With these tools, Global Fishing Watch aims to identify small vessels that operate without Automatic Identification Systems (AIS) or Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), bolstering efforts to monitor fishing practices and enforce ocean governance globally.

"Global Fishing Watch's expanded collaboration with Planet will enable us to dramatically improve our capabilities to map the activities of smaller vessels close to shore, adding several million more previously untracked vessels to our platform," said Paul Woods, co-founder and chief innovation officer of Global Fishing Watch. "This brings us much closer to achieving our audacious goal of mapping all human activity at sea - for both the good of the ocean and the people whose livelihoods depend on healthy fisheries and marine ecosystems."

While AIS - a GPS-based collision avoidance system - helps track vessels and identify illegal activity, it is not universally required, particularly for millions of small fishing boats responsible for nearly half of the world's seafood catch. AIS can also be manipulated to broadcast misleading information. PlanetScope's high-resolution satellite imagery addresses these gaps, helping detect vessels that do not broadcast AIS or actively evade detection.

This collaboration will amplify Global Fishing Watch's ability to provide actionable insights to policymakers, fisheries managers, and enforcement officers. The data will enhance transparency, support sustainable fisheries, and empower maritime enforcement to safeguard marine ecosystems and livelihoods.

"Through the growing capabilities and analysis made possible by EO imagery, Planet and our partners like GFW are proud to bring awareness and action to critical climate issues, including ocean conservation and transparency," commented Andrew Zolli, Planet's Chief Impact Officer. "Whether it's monitoring deforestation in the Amazon or illegal fishing in the Atlantic Ocean, Planet is committed to being a leader on the front line of climate solutions."

The partnership reflects both organizations' dedication to innovation and environmental stewardship. By integrating PlanetScope data with Global Fishing Watch's advanced ML models, this collaboration is poised to significantly improve the detection of untracked vessels, fostering greater accountability and creating healthier, safer oceans for all.