A new model for EEZ surveillance and management in Portugal

Abstract

Portugal has an EEZ of 1.6 million square kilometres. The importance of the EEZ is primarily related to economic activities such as fisheries and tourism, and eventually offshore mining; but also to broader issues such as environment, internal security and geo-strategy. Maritime surveillance is a keystone for the control of the EEZ. The authors discuss strengths and flaws of the Portuguese maritime surveillance scheme, plus opportunities for better management of the EEZ. Maritime surveillance has not been a priority in Portugal, hence available means are insufficient; the responsibilities of a maritime authority are distributed amongst several institutions, relatively low on State hierarchy and with inadequate co-ordination. Although the essential functions of a maritime authority are performed, efficiency is poor and existing means are not used to full capacity. EEZ management exists only as desegregated policies. The authors adopt the twin concepts of the integrated management for the EEZ; and the Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence (C 3 I) for the maritime surveillance. A model is proposed to integrate such concepts into the new VTMIS (Vessel Traffic Management Information Services) about to be implemented in Portugal. This should improve the VTMIS and the efficiency of other means of maritime surveillance and management. The new system should have a strong geographical information component and the capability to integrate on-line information from many sources (such as land-based radar, port information, satellite imagery, military and police routine surveillance, international databases and mathematical modelling, among others). Such information would then be used for a number of tasks, including environmental protection and natural resources management in the EEZ. The paper discusses the desirable specifications for such a system and its link with existing and future institutional arrangements in Portugal.