At U.N. Ocean Conference, Panama and Global Fishing Watch Forge Landmark Partnership to Boost Ocean Protection

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The agreement will harness technology and transparency to strengthen surveillance of marine protected areas and safeguard biodiversity

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NICE, France, June 09, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Global Fishing Watch, an international nonprofit organization advancing ocean governance through transparency of human activity at sea, and Panama’s Ministry of the Environment (MiAmbiente) have announced a new partnership aimed at promoting transparency, strengthening ocean governance and conserving marine biodiversity within Panama’s marine protected areas (MPAs) and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), the two parties confirmed today. 

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The partnership, launched at the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, amid the signing of a memorandum of understanding, will see Panamanian authorities and Global Fishing Watch collaborate to enhance the management, surveillance and environmental enforcement of Panama’s protected waters through the increased use of cutting-edge technologies such as Global Fishing Watch’s unique open source tools. In addition, the collaboration will work to accelerate protection of vulnerable species and marine ecosystems in line with the 30×30 goals — the sustainability pledge aimed at effectively conserving 30 percent of the world’s land and ocean by 2030. 

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“Having achieved its 30×30 objectives well ahead of time, Panama is fast becoming a champion of good ocean governance,” said Tony Long, chief executive officer of Global Fishing Watch. “We are proud to partner with Panama’s Ministry of the Environment as they seek to put in place proper management of designated MPAs that represent more than 50 percent of their exclusive economic zone.” 

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“When safeguarding marine biodiversity we not only preserve a healthy ocean ecosystem but also support the wellbeing of societies and economies who rely on the ocean for their livelihoods, their nutrition and their cultural identity,” Long continued. “This collaboration represents a critical step forward in advancing good ocean governance and ensuring our ocean is protected and sustainable for generations to come.”

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The agreement between Global Fishing Watch and MiAmbiente is the latest chapter in a series of collaborative efforts between the international organization and the Latin American country aimed at strengthening marine protection and enforcement across the country’s waters. Since 2019, the government of Panama has publicly shared the vessel monitoring system, or VMS, data of its international fleet with Global Fishing Watch — a move that has contributed towards the timely identification of unauthorized ships and vessels with non-compliance records and  elevated the country’s commitment to transparency.

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Now, with the new memorandum of understanding, Panama will also provide updated data on MPAs and conservation zones. For its part, Global Fishing Watch will provide satellite monitoring tools, geospatial data, technical training and a dedicated online platform to support MPA management, patrols and policy planning. The initiative is expected to boost transparency, improve institutional capacity and advance protection of marine ecosystems and biodiversity.