Marine Monitor - A tool to communicate fishing pressure on MPAs

Marine Monitor (M2) is a low-cost, easy to use, technology platform designed specifically for marine resource manages and enforcement agencies to more effectively manage nearshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Through... [ view full abstract ]

Marine Monitor (M2) is a low-cost, easy to use, technology platform designed specifically for marine resource manages and enforcement agencies to more effectively manage nearshore Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). Through community engagement and work with NGO and government organizations, M2 was developed as a monitoring technology that matters to stakeholders, policy makers, and practitioners. By providing a persistent monitoring technology that integrates and displays radar, video, and AIS via M2’s custom built software, the M2 system can dramatically increase the effectiveness of anti-poaching efforts and provide critical use data for better fisheries and MPA management. With M2, data collected can be used to ensure the future health of marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of small-scale fisher communities that rely on coastal fishing for income and food.

M2 helps fill the information gap on fishing pressure in remote areas globally. Through real-time alerts via SMS or email, M2 can help direct limited resources directly to threats - especially at night or during periods of poor visibility. Long-term, M2 system data can help characterize illegal fishing patterns and response to enforcement efforts - leading to better management outcomes. Furthermore, by partnering with organizations that share data across the near-shore/high seas boundary, M2 systems can enable more seamless tracking of international illegal activities. By making enforcement more strategic and affordable, M2 is playing a critical role in preserving marine biodiversity, enabling MPA success, and making marine science matter globally.