Oscar winning-actor and environment activist Leonardo DiCaprio recently announced a new application – Global Fishing Watch. The technology platform will analyze data via satellites to identify apparent fishing behaviour based on the movement of vessels over time. In association with Google and Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, the app was launched at the US State Department’s Our Ocean 2016 conference.
The point behind the tool is to garner interest among individuals about illegal fishing and other uncanny behaviours and turn individuals into activists. “This platform will empower citizens across the globe to become powerful advocates for our oceans,” said DiCaprio at the conference.
Global Fishing Watch is partially funded by the actor’s foundation. It has reportedly contributed $6 million to the $10.3 million project created by Google Earth Outreach, a division of Google that uses company infrastructure to work on environmental issues, along with SkyTruth, a non-profit that shares satellite imagery and remote sensing data in defence of natural resources; and also in association with the international ocean advocacy organization Oceana.
It is believed that 25% of sharks and rays are threatened with extinction, and millions are killed annually. This crisis represents a growing threat to the well-being of the oceans and the billions of people who rely upon them. The tool, DiCaprio explained, will put pressure on the fishing industry to refrain from such means and avoid drawing the ire of the people.
Recommended
Leonardi DiCaprio has been dubbed an influential environmentalist for his work towards such causes. Over the last few years, DiCaprio has steadily donated his celebrity – and at least $30m in funding according to his foundation – to help advance the United Nations climate negotiations, protect coral reefs and tigers, and spread public awareness about the dangers of climate change. His dedication to the environment was evident in his acceptance speech after winning his first ever Oscar. “Climate change is real, it is happening right now, it is the most urgent threat facing our entire species, and we need to work collectively together and stop procrastinating,” he said.
Feature Image Courtesy: Deadline.com