Leveraging Earth Observation for Sustainable Fisheries: GEO Blue Planet Fisheries Working Group’s Strategic Framework

The GEO Blue Planet Fisheries Working Group (FWG) is supporting sustainable fisheries resource management through advanced Earth observation (EO) technologies. Focused on addressing critical challenges like  overfishing, climate impacts, and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the FWG aims to fill data gaps, improve decision-making, and foster international collaboration.

Its strategic framework, outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToR),  prioritizes the development of interoperable EO tools that combine remote sensing (e.g. satellite imagery) and in situ observations, and predictive models. This enables stakeholders to monitor fisheries stocks, habitat conditions, and ecological dynamics more efficiently and implement evidence-based decisions that protect marine resources and biodiversity​. The FWG efforts center on three key areas: stakeholder engagement, scientific and technical cooperation, and capacity building. By enhancing local, regional and global capacity to use EO tools the group  supports practices aligned with global goals.

Looking ahead, the FWG is planning to host a workshop in 2025, "Earth Observation and Prediction for Global Sustainable Fisheries Management," to engage international organizations, regional fisheries bodies, and technical experts to address data limitations, share innovative EO applications, and enhance fisheries management practices.