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The United States should require all fishing vessels to carry a GPS tracking device. An agency would be required to regulate the use of these devices but its ultimate purpose would be to track the vessels themselves and locate violators. Using the U.S. as an example the best agency for this task is already in place, the Coast Guard. The GPS systems that I researched are inexpensive, versatile, and small. They not only pinpoint the exact location of the vessel but they also have the capability to track the vessels path, heading, and speed. The information collected by the GPS system relays it to a satellite, which then sends it to a main headquarters where it is collected and stored in a computer system. This system should be regulated and operated by agencies such as the coast guard. The GPS system will provide fishermen with up to date information about closed areas and other prohibited zones directly to their vessel. The system will also make it easy for the Coast Guard to track and find vessels that violate the law. Instead of having fleets of ships searching the seas for violators we can have people searching computer screens for violators. The GPS system should be given a serial code specific to a particular vessel. This would be similar to a motor vehicles license plate, allowing the authorities to ID both the boat and the owner of the boat. A GPS system seems to be the most practical and feasible means of enforcement for oceanic law. For the U.S. the Coast Guard seems to be the best suited agency for this idea to work. As for other countries their navy or other agency similar to the U.S. Coast Guard would be best for adopting the GPS solution and enforcing oceanic law.
Websites with information on current GPS tracking devices:
http://www.guardianmobility.com/Air_Solutions.php
http://ezinearticles.com/?Marine-GPS-Maintains-Boater-Safety&id=652865