Global Fishing Watch
Operator: Global Fishing Watch, Inc., United States
Vessel search and maps for analysing fishing activity, port visits and vessel encounters.
Transport & Movement
Product
Public Global Fishing Watch platform with a map and vessel search.
Availability and source date
Active
As of: 17 October 2026.
Check: 17 October 2026.
Public vessel search for ALBATROS without an account.
The results list displays vessel name, flag, MMSI, call sign and AIS data periods. One visible result extends to 15 October 2026.
Use in OSINT research
Researches vessel identifiers, fishing activity, port visits and encounters at sea. Maps and time filters support research into fisheries and maritime supply chains.
Queries
| Input | Result | Result type |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel ID (IMO/MMSI) + Keyword / free text | Vessel identity with name, flag, MMSI, call sign and data source from AIS messages and public registers. | Retrieved |
| Coordinates | Map showing the spatial distribution of apparent fishing activity and vessel movements. | Derived |
Features
- Searches vessels by name, IMO, MMSI or call sign.
- Displays vessel identities with AIS and register sources.
- Visualises fishing activity by area, period and flag.
- Records port visits and possible vessel encounters.
- Provides datasets and APIs for your own analyses.
Categories
- Transport & Movement
Coverage
Geographical coverage
global
Dataset
Worldwide AIS data, public vessel registers and satellite-based detections. Coverage depends on the data source.
Access
Requirements
Public map and basic vessel search without signing in. Advanced analyses, downloads and API keys require a free account.
Export
Vessel profiles can be saved as PDF according to the introduction; reports and datasets are available with registration. API and R and Python clients for your own analyses.
Provider
Global Fishing Watch, Inc.
Country of establishment
United States
Interfaces
API
Available. Free API access with a GFW account, API key and brief description of the intended use. R and Python clients are documented.
MCP
Not documented. Not described on the product and interface pages reviewed.
AI agents
Not documented. Not described on the product and interface pages reviewed.
Usage note
The terms restrict the website and services to non-commercial use. Contact the provider about commercial use; scraping is prohibited.
Legal note
Limitations
- Fishing activity is inferred from movement data.
- Data coverage and time lag vary by source.
- Advanced analyses and downloads require a free account.
Guides and practical reports
Official · API offering and access
Global Fishing Watch · EN
Explains API features, accounts, keys and R and Python access.