What is the main goal of maritime surveillance?

The main goal of maritime surveillance is to monitor maritime activities and threats. This encompasses a broad range of tasks essential for the safety and security of marine environments. It includes detecting and analyzing potential threats such as illegal fishing, trafficking, terrorism, and piracy. By effectively monitoring these activities, nations can ensure the protection of their waters, enforce laws, and maintain order at sea, which is critical for national security and international trade.

Surveillance technologies and systems are deployed to gather intelligence, provide situational awareness, and support law enforcement actions. This proactive approach helps in responding to emergencies and mitigating risks, highlighting why monitoring activities and threats is a primary objective of maritime surveillance.