Throughout the globe, coastal nations have jurisdiction over the natural resources of an Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) that extends up to 200 miles off their shores.
Within the EEZs, each nation has jurisdiction to govern the use of its marine resources. They may issue licenses, set catch limits, or ban a given activity all together.
Increasingly, coastal nations are setting aside territory within their EEZs for conservation, limiting commercial activity and creating no-take zones.
The establishment of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) is on the rise as concern for the sustainability of fish, marine mammals, corals and critical marine ecosystems grows.
Setting management policies is one thing, but enforcing them 200miles from shore is another, especially for countries with large EEZs or small countries with limitedresources to patrol their waters. This is where the ability to “see” vessels remotely through GlobalFishingWatch can help governments monitor their EEZs, including protected areas, and enforce their resource management strategies.
