Context-dependent changes in maritime traffic activity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic

Loveridge, A, Sims, DW, Elvidge, CD, Kroodsma, DA, White, TD, Evans, K, Kato, A, Ropert-Coudert, Y, Sommerfield, J and Takahashi, A 2023 Context-dependent changes in maritime traffic activity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Global Environmental Change, 84. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102773

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Abstract/Summary

Rapid implementation of human mobility restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically reduced maritime activity in early 2020. But where and when activity rebounded, or remained low, during the full extent of 2020 restrictions remains unclear. Using global high-resolution datasets, we reveal a surprising degree of complexity in maritime activity patterns during 2020, yielding a more nuanced picture of how restrictions affected activity. Overall, shipping activity in Exclusive Economic Zones decreased (1.35 %), as expected, however high-seas activity increased (0.28 %). While these annual changes appear modest, there were striking spatially and temporally asynchronous variations in different vessel types’ activity in the second half of 2020, ranging from an > 80 % sustained reduction in passenger vessel activity to a 150 % increase in fishing activity. Results suggest systems-level responses were highly context-dependent, pinpointing areas that experienced significant reductions and spikes in activity, and providing hitherto missing details of COVID-19 impacts on economic and environmental sustainability.

Item Type:	Publication - Article
Additional Keywords:	human mobility, maritime traffic, COVID-19, shipping, fishing, blue economy
Subjects:	Fisheries Marine Sciences Social Sciences
Divisions:	Marine Biological Association of the UK > Other (MBA)
Depositing User:	Ms Kristina Hixon
Date made live:	21 Dec 2023 15:20
Last Modified:	09 Feb 2024 16:56
URI:	https://plymsea.ac.uk/id/eprint/10086

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