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review shows that, between 2005 and 2024, the Navy has developed important operational capacities to
address IUU fishing, but the effectiveness of these efforts depends increasingly on the strengthening of
technological capabilities and the integration of maritime monitoring systems.
The findings indicate that the Colombian Navy has a solid institutional and operational foundation
for maritime surveillance and interdiction. However, the main opportunity for improvement lies in the
enhancement of technological and information-based capabilities, particularly in the areas of real-time
monitoring, data interoperability, early detection, and decision support. In this regard, technologies such
as satellite monitoring, Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS), Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), artificial
intelligence-based analytics, and digital surveillance platforms represent key enablers for improving the
detection of suspicious vessels and optimizing operational response.
The comparison with international models demonstrates that the integration of advanced maritime
surveillance technologies can significantly improve control effectiveness. Experiences such as THEMIS and
SKYLIGHT illustrate the value of automated data analysis, anomaly detection, and information fusion for
supporting operational decision-making and increasing the precision of surveillance efforts. For Colombia,
the challenge is not only the adoption of these technologies, but also their effective articulation within a
coordinated institutional framework that allows timely information exchange and more strategic deployment
of enforcement resources.
A major gap identified in this study is the limited integration of technological systems with regulatory,
operational, and interinstitutional procedures. Although Colombia has a legal framework that supports
maritime interdiction, persistent coordination challenges, communication barriers, and the absence of more
specialized protocols for addressing IUU fishing reduce the full potential of existing surveillance and control
capacities. Strengthening these elements would improve response times, support better-informed operational
decisions, and increase the efficiency of maritime enforcement.
Overall, this review suggests that the future effectiveness of the Colombian Navy’s response to IUU
fishing will depend not only on operational presence and institutional commitment, but also on the consoli-
dation of an integrated technological architecture for maritime surveillance. Enhancing data interoperability,
expanding the use of intelligent monitoring tools, and incorporating decision-support systems based on
real-time information would make enforcement actions more targeted, efficient, and sustainable. In this
sense, strengthening technological and operational integration is essential for improving fisheries control,
protecting marine resources, and advancing Colombia’s maritime security objectives.
Future research should examine how emerging technologies such as UAVs, machine learning for
anomaly detection, and digital traceability systems, can improve the surveillance and control of IUU fishing
in Colombia. It should also evaluate the interoperability of tools such as AIS, VMS, satellite imagery, and
intelligence platforms within integrated decision-support systems. Additional studies are needed on the
effects of real-time monitoring and interinstitutional coordination on operational response, as well as on
the role of regional cooperation and environmental change in shaping more adaptive maritime surveillance
strategies.
These research lines can support the development of more efficient, integrated, and technology-driven
approaches to combating IUU fishing and protecting marine resources.
Author Contributions: Umaña, A.: Conceptualization, Methodology, Validation, Formal analysis, Writing – original
draft. Carranza, R.: Investigation, Resources, Supervision, Project administration, Funding acquisition. Calderón, A.:
Software, Visualization, Data curation, Writing – review & editing.
All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Refer to the taxonomía CRediT for term
explanations. Authorship should be limited to those who have contributed substantially to the work reported.
Funding: This study did not receive external funding.
Institutional Review Board Statement: Not applicable, since the present study does not involve human personnel or
animals.
Informed Consent Statement: This study is limited to the use of technological resources, so no human personnel or
animals are involved.