Busting Poachers With Their Own GPS

The “law of unintended consequences” is one that experienced professionals in all fields have learned to respect. It is very simple but very easily ignored by beginners, leading to inconvenience (at best) or disaster (at worst). Perhaps nowhere is the law of unintended consequences better illustrated than in the sea between India and the island nation of Sri Lanka. There, fishermen using GPS navigation to find the best catch have found themselves convicted of trespassing by their own devices’ data.

Turf Arguments at Sea

Disagreement over national borders on the oceans is extremely complex. There are no landmarks like rivers or roads to denote borders, and outlining borders with stationary markers is much more difficult than on land. Almost any two nations separated by a narrow section of ocean will experience frequent squabbles as fishermen and military watercraft accidentally or intentionally cross the borders. Unfortunately, even when trespassers are caught in clear violation of international borders, it is hard to prove that they were there intentionally and not by accident.

GPS locating technology, which is just as effective on water as it is on land, is the most likely solution to this problem. A mariner today can look at a handheld device, view his current location on a map, and see exactly where he is in relation to forbidden waters. For those who desire to remain on their side of the invisible fence, this technology keeps them safe. But for those who sneak across the border on purpose, the law of unintended consequences kicks in with a vengeance.

Indian Fish Poachers

The channel between the tip of India and the island of Sri Lanka is rich with fish, and fishermen from both countries would like to make the most of the bounty. Border-crossing is common, and tempers flare on a regular basis. Matters are made worse by the fact that Sri Lanka only recently emerged from a long civil war, which prevented officials from patrolling its waters. Many Indian fishermen got used to fishing in Sri Lankan waters without consequence, and are reluctant to stop now.

This year alone, the country of Sri Lanka confiscated over 100 Indian fishing boats that were caught operating on the Sri Lankan side of the border, and arrested 600 fishermen.  But last month, Sri Lankan officials received a benefit that they have not often enjoyed when accusing Indian fishers of poaching in Sri Lankan waters: proof that six fishing boats intentionally trespassed in order to fish outside Indian territory.

The proof was in the form of GPS navigation data recovered from the six captured boats. The technology clearly shows that the fishermen set a course for regions owned by Sri Lanka and followed that course. The findings leave no excuse for the fishermen’s actions, and conviction of crossing the border intentionally is virtually guaranteed.

Other Unintended Consequences for Criminals

GPS devices are tripping up criminals all over the world, in multiple ways. Law enforcement officers are finding that if they can only get a tracker close to a criminal, a huge portion of their job is already done. Here are some examples of how GPS acts as a police officer’s best friend:

Theft	Devices hidden ahead of time on stolen items lead police to the thief and, often, additional stolen items
Prosecution of criminals in court	GPS data from car navigators can place defendants near a crime scene
Parole violation	A GPS anklet instantly alerts parole officer when a parolee crosses an off-limits border
Organized crime	GPS navigation data recovered from gang or mob owned vehicles can lead police to other members
Drug trade	GPS trackers carried by informants or suspects can lead police to drug buyers and suppliers

Of course, GPS has had its unintended consequences for law-abiding citizens as well. Stalkers and predatory criminals, for instance, have been caught using GPS trackers to keep an eye on potential victims, even monitoring their activity long-term from the confines of their own homes.

Anyone who uses GPS should be aware of all its effects, not just the ones that are immediately apparent. Uploading your location to social media sites leaves you vulnerable to any criminals who might view that information. Simply using the GPS function on your smartphone gives information to your service provider and partnering advertisers. Being aware of these facts is not paranoia; it simply helps you use a new and powerful tool in the safest way possible.

GPS Defines Borders and Locates Criminals

In the age of GPS, questionable borders at sea will quickly become an excuse of the past for fishermen and navy craft that are caught in off-limits areas. This is a benefit for all involved, as less time will be wasted patrolling borders, arguing over the exact location of borders, and trying to prove that trespassers were acting intentionally. And trespassing fishermen who are apprehended with GPS navigation devices on board will continue to experience the pain inflicted by the “law of unintended consequences.”

Busting Poachers With Their Own GPS