Scotland’s Blind Navigation in Managing Marine Resources

Scotland is facing a critical challenge in managing its marine resources due to the lack of visibility of vessels operating in its coastal waters. Recent research conducted by a team of experts at Scottish Heriot-Watt University has revealed alarming findings, indicating that over half of the vessels in the country’s coastal waters are “invisible” to standard maritime tracking systems.

The study, published this week, highlights the limited understanding of the potential impacts of vessel activities on marine life, particularly whales, dolphins, and seals. According to the researchers, only 43 percent of vessels within a 10-kilometer radius of the Scottish coast broadcast an Automatic Identification System (AIS) signal, which is crucial for monitoring ship movements globally.

Small vessels, including fishing boats under 15 meters, recreational craft, and jet skis, are major contributors to the missing data as they are not mandated to carry AIS. Despite the voluntary option of installing and broadcasting AIS data, a significant portion of these vessels remain untracked.

The implications of this lack of visibility are far-reaching, posing risks to marine life, safety, and sustainable ocean management. With the increasing traffic in Scottish coastal waters, the absence of comprehensive vessel tracking data hinders efforts to assess and mitigate vessel-related impacts such as underwater noise pollution, collision risks with marine mammals, anchor damage to the seabed, greenhouse gas emissions, and overall climate impact.

Scotland’s coastal waters are home to diverse marine species, including bottlenose dolphins, minke whales, and orcas, making it imperative to address the gaps in vessel tracking for effective conservation and management strategies.

Lauren McWhinnie, a co-author of the study, emphasizes the need for improved understanding of vessel activities to enhance marine planning and policymaking. By ensuring all types of vessels, including smaller ones, broadcast their position using AIS, policymakers can tailor regulations to maximize effectiveness, promote safety, and enhance environmental awareness within the maritime sector.

The research, based on extensive surveys conducted across nine of Scotland’s 11 marine regions between 2019 and 2024, reveals significant discrepancies in vessel tracking data. In some areas, over 75 percent of vessel activity goes unrecorded, raising concerns about the adequacy of current monitoring mechanisms.

In regions like the Outer Hebrides and the Orkney Islands, varying rates of AIS transmission further underscore the need for comprehensive tracking systems to support sustainable practices in ecotourism, fishing, and aquaculture activities.

The researchers urge Scottish authorities to take proactive measures to ensure full compliance with AIS regulations among all vessels operating in the country’s waters. By enhancing visibility and data accuracy, policymakers can strike a balance between promoting maritime activities and safeguarding marine ecosystems for future generations.