Big Data for Ocean Governance - lunchtime conference 27 October

Lunchtime Conference, Rue Joseph II, 99, Brussels, 27 October 12.30-14.00

An essential first step in governing the oceans is knowing what is going on. This is now becoming feasible. The obligation for most ocean-going vessels to broadcast their identity and position, the increasing number of orbiting satellites that are able to pick up these signals or to photograph the vessels, the various on-line registers of vessels and the capacity of modern information systems to quickly assemble and analyse all this information now allows operators independent of any national government to build up a picture of maritime activity in any part of the 71% of this planet that is ocean and to signal anomalous behaviour such as illegal fishing.

Non-governmental organisations with missions to promote a sustainable future for our oceans are leading the way. Two of these efforts will be presented to the staff of the European Commission's Directorate General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries on 27 October, 2015. They will include technical and organisational aspects, target customers and business model.

• "Eyes on the Seas" a joint effort of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Satellite Applications Catapult

presented by Senior Analyst at Satellite Applications Catapult, Brad Soule

• "Global fishing Watch" a joint effort of Oceana, Google and Skytruth

presented by Executive Director of Oceana Europe, Lasse Gustavsson

presentation of Oceana