@article{Loveridge_A-2023_159040,
title = {Context-dependent changes in maritime traffic activity during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic},
author = {Loveridge, A. and Elvidge, C. and Kroodsma, D. and White, T. and Evans, K. and Kato, A. and Ropert-Coudert, Y. and Sommerfeld, J. and Takahashi, A. and Patchett, R. and Robira, B. and Rutz, C. and Sims, D.},
month = {nov},
year = {2023},
abstract = {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 &gt; 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.},
volume = {84},
journal = {Global Environmental Change},
publisher = {Elsevier},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2023.102773},
}
