Digital Surveillance Reshapes Fishery Enforcement in Indonesia

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelagic state, is leveraging digital surveillance to enforce fisheries laws across its vast maritime territory. The system integrates data from vessel monitoring systems (VMS), satellite remote sensing, and geospatial analytics, enabling authorities to detect potential violations before patrol vessels are deployed. By early 2026, 9,394 Indonesian fishing vessels were transmitting via VMS, a significant increase from previous years. In 2025, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries imposed 2,550 administrative sanctions, many based on VMS-detected violations. In the first quarter of 2026, the monitoring system tracked 14,571 vessels and identified 491 suspected violations. However, illegal operators are adapting by disabling transmitters and exploiting technological gaps, leading to an ongoing technological arms race. The article also highlights emerging concerns about cybersecurity and data integrity, as enforcement increasingly relies on automated risk assessments based on digital data.