logo
ResearchBunny Logo
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic caused unprecedented global impacts on human mobility, including a significant reduction in marine traffic. This study quantifies and maps the global change in marine traffic during the first half of 2020 using Automatic Identification System (AIS) data. Results show decreases in 70.2% of Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs), with variations aligned with confinement measures. Global declines peaked in April, with a 1.4% reduction in traffic occupancy. Passenger vessels experienced the most significant and prolonged decreases. A regional assessment in the Western Mediterranean provided insights into recovery pace and long-term changes. This approach guides large-scale monitoring of COVID-19's effects on vessel traffic, influencing the blue economy and ocean health.
Publisher
Nature Communications
Published On
Apr 27, 2021
Authors
David March, Kristian Metcalfe, Joaquin Tintoré, Brendan J. Godley
Tags
COVID-19
marine traffic
Automatic Identification System
Exclusive Economic Zones
blue economy
ocean health
vessel movement
Listen, Learn & Level Up
Over 10,000 hours of research content in 25+ fields, available in 12+ languages.
No more digging through PDFs—just hit play and absorb the world's latest research in your language, on your time.
listen to research audio papers with researchbunny