Final answer:
The biggest gap in current maritime security is the need for enhanced monitoring, such as using drones for 24-hour surveillance to quickly address unauthorized incursions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most significant gap in current maritime ashore security and afloat requirements appears to be the need for improved monitoring capabilities. Enhancements such as 24-hour monitoring employing advanced technologies like drone technology could improve response times to human incursions and prevent unauthorized activities. The maritime industry has attempted to mitigate environmental threats such as aquatic invasive species through management practices like Ballast Water Exchange (BWE), yet there are challenges associated with geographical constraints preventing effective mid-ocean BWE. Furthermore, regional stability, such as in Yemen, is paramount for securing critical waterways against threats like piracy. The overarching concern is that, without adaptable and robust maritime security measures, including both improved surveillance and enforcement of regulations, there is a risk that vital international shipping lanes could be compromised, implicating global trade and national security.