In 1983, the first commercial fishing vessel equipped with satellite navigation (GPS) was introduced, allowing fishermen to precisely locate fishing grounds and navigate safely. This technology, developed by the U.S. military and later made available for civilian use, revolutionized the fishing industry by enabling more efficient and targeted fishing. The adoption of satellite navigation contributed to the dramatic increase in global fishing capacity in the late 20th century. It also raised concerns about the sustainability of fish stocks.

Satellite navigation has been referenced in contemporary poetry, with writers exploring the theme of technology's impact on traditional fishing practices. Poets like Derek Walcott and Seamus Heaney have alluded to GPS in their works on maritime life. The technology also appears in the fiction of the period, where it symbolizes the modernization of the fishing industry.