Guidance

Inshore Vessel Monitoring (I-VMS) for under-12m fishing vessels registered in England

Guidance to assist English fishers understand how and when I-VMS will be delivered, how it may affect them, their responsibilities, and the steps they need to consider.

From:
Marine Management Organisation
Published
5 January 2022
Last updated
1918 May 2023 — See all updates

Important update – 1918 May 2023

LastMMO year,has followingannounced feedback,the MMOresults actedof andthe commissioned independent assurance testingtesting. You oncan Typeaccess Approvedthe I-VMSfull devices.update Thisin our online news update.

Fishers will receive direct contact from MMO. A dedicated helpline has nowalso been completedset andup weto havehelp takenwith theenquiries. decisionCall 01900 508618 Monday to continueThursday the9am pauseto of5pm theand I-VMSFriday device9am roll-outto until4.30pm. furtherIt notice.will also be operating on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May from 10am to 4pm.

What is I-VMS?

MMOInshore remainsVessel confidentMonitoring thatSystem (I-VMS) devices are similar to the roll-outVMS programmetracking willdevices beused ableby fishing vessels 12 metres and greater. I-VMS devices monitor inshore fishing activity to progress,help butimprove withthe amanagement reducedand numbersustainability of Typeour Approvedmarine devices.environment, ensure proper fishing practices and prevent illegal fishing to help protect and enhance the livelihoods of fishers.

TheUsing FulcrumGPRS Nemomobile andphone Succorfishsignals, SC2I-VMS devices willprovide remainpositional Typeinformation Approved(such followingas minorlatitude fixesand longitude, course, speed and independentdate review.and Thetime otherof devices,each Maritimepositional Systemsreport) MS44which andis sent to MMO’s UK VMS Hub. When a device is located outside GPRS range, the Satlinkdevice Nano,will havecontinue hadto theirstore Typethe Approvedpositional statusinformation revokedand assubmit theythe diddata notonce meetGPRS assurancecoverage testnext thresholds.

MMObecomes available. This is indifferent to the processVMS ofdevices contactingused allby fisherslarger withvessels, furtherwhich informationtransmit baseddata onvia whichsatellite deviceand hascan beenbecome purchased.expensive.

Product

Combined Typewith Approveddata statuson revoked

Ifcatch youvolumes, havescientific purchasedevidence of stock levels and a Maritimerange Systemsof MS44other orsignificant Satlinkdata, NanoI-VMS device,will MMOenable canmore confirmefficient thatdecisions youon local and national management measures and policies. It will bealso financiallyenable supportedthe MMO to securecontinually suitable,improve replacementits devices.targeted Youassurance activities as the clearer picture of fishing activity will behelp contactedhighlight directlywhich vessels are consistently complying with moreregulations informationon where and therewhat they can fish, and those that may introduce risk to sustainable sea fisheries.

I-VMS legislation

Legislation in the form of a Statutory Instrument is nodue to come into force in 2023. This will make it a legal requirement for youall vessels under 12 metres in length to takehave anyan actioninshore vessel monitoring system (I-VMS) installed and transmitting data to the MMO, when they are at thissea stage.in WeEnglish appreciatewaters. youThis willis havepart questionsof regardingthe removal/replacementgovernment’s strategy to improve data collection to support development of devicesmore andresponsive financialfisheries impact,management measures and wepractices that will bringenable youindustry furtherto updatesbenefit onfrom howleaving wethe canCommon supportFisheries you.Policy.

Product

When Typethe Approvedlegislation statuscomes retained

Ifinto youforce haveit purchasedwill be every fisher’s responsibility to ensure that they have a Fulcrumdevice Nemofitted and Succorfishthat SC2it is transmitting - if a device (whichis havenot retainedfitted Typeto Approvalthe status)vessel youand transmitting, they will not be notifiedable directly.to Pleasefish bearlawfully.

Roll-out withof usI-VMS whiledevices

The weMMO workis withnot responsible for ensuring that fishers are ready for when the suppliernew legislation comes into force. As a responsible regulator, MMO is facilitating preparations to recommencesupport roll-outthe asindustry, soonthrough astype possible.approval, Yougrant dofunding notand needa staged roll-out, so that every fisher has the opportunity to takebe anycompliant.

The furtherroll-out action.of I-VMS devices to the English inshore fishing fleet continues at pace with more than 1000 devices successfully purchased and installed to date.

Fishers who have notalready purchased ortheir I-VMS device and had it installed ancan I-VMSclaim device

Pleasefinancial takesupport noof furtherup actionto at£650 thisof stage.the Furthercosts updatesof willthe benew madedevices availablethrough asthe soonEuropean asMaritime possible.Fisheries AllFund suppliers(EMFF), havesupported beenthrough notifiedthe andI-VMS advisedgrant notpayments system. To date, MMO has successfully paid out nearly £400,000 in grants to selleligible orfishers installonce devices untilhave furthersuccessfully notice.connected to the MMO hub.

The approved I-VMS devicedevices currently available were subject to a robust type approval process, where suppliers havewere alreadyrequired beento notifieddemonstrate that devices met a set of ourtechnical decisions.standards.

To offer further additional assurance to fishers, additional independent testing of devices is now underway. We arewill currentlycontinue workingto closelyengage withand update suppliers whoand fishers on the outcome of the additional testing.

Approved devices & companies

Devices

We have retaineda Typelist Approvalof statusdevices tothat planmeet the nextI-VMS stagespecification of requirements set out in the roll-outMMO’s type approval process. These approved I-VMS devices will deliver the required level of data to the MMO, through the UK VMS Hub. All products are designed for the marine field.

The MMO invited potential suppliers to participate in the type approval process to identify devices that met the minimum I-VMS devices.technical Furtherspecification, updatesensuring willsuch beproducts sharedare withsuitable youwithin asthe soonmarine asenvironment, possible.provide a high level of positional accuracy (to within ten metres) and deliver reliable frequency of data transmission using GPRS (e.g. mobile phone signal) to the MMO.

Update

You can find the list of I-VMS type approved devices on the official I-VMS legislationapproval list website

Companies

TheYou roll-outcan find the official list of companies who have supplied I-VMS approved devices ishere. importantThis includes images of the devices, dimension, contact information and willa helpservice support pack.

How to apply

When considering the device and supplier, fishers need to ensuredetermine:

  • where theyto arelocate compliantand aheadsecure the device to their vessel. All devices have the capability to be attached onto the structure of government’sa upcomingvessel, legislation,including whichon bar frames. Speak to suppliers.
  • whether the device will requirebe allconnected commercialto fishingthe vesselsvessel’s operatingonboard inelectrics Englishor waterswhether it is to be tracked,operated includingusing Englishthe vessels,device vesselsalternative power options independent from acrossthe vessel.
  • what service, support and warranty packages are attached with the UKdevice?
  • how the supplier intends to resolve matters if a fault arise on their device. Also, the availability and alldistance foreignof vesselstheir licensedengineers for installs.
  • note that I-VMS funding can be claimed (up to fish£650 inper Englishvessel). waters.

    See ‘claiming I-VMS funding’ section

We advise fishers to have these discussions with suppliers. The introductionsuppliers ofcan legislationthen understand what is important to makeyou I-VMSand mandatorywhat hasconsiderations beenare delayedrequired to accountenable fora thisdevice latestto information.be fitted on to your vessel.

EnquiriesContract

AIt dedicatedis helplineimportant hasto alsounderstand beenthat setfishers upwill tobe helpsigning a contract with enquiries.their Callchosen 01900device 508618supplier. MondayTherefore, fishers need to Thursdaynegotiate 9amand tounderstand 5pmwhat service and Fridaysupport 9ampackage tobest 4.30pm.suits Itthem.

To note the frequency of I-VMS data will alsobe set at a rate of every three minutes when in English waters. This will be operatinglaid onout Saturdaywithin 20the andlegislation. SundayThe 21annual Mayairtime fromfor 10amfishers is around £120 to 4pm.

Before£180 calling,per pleaseyear. readIn ouraddition, updatedEnglish I-VMSfishers FAQswill continue to seereport ifdata theyat providethis rate when outside English waters. As the informationdevices thatuse youmobile need.phone technology, fishers should ensure their chosen device can report at 4G.

What

Arranging is I-VMS?

fitting

InshoreOnce Vesselfishers Monitoringhave Systemdetermined (I-VMS)which devicesdevice areand similarsupplier tothey thehave VMSchosen trackingand deviceshave usedagreed bycontracts, fishingthen vesselsboth 12parties metres(fisher and greater.supplier) will agree a suitable I-VMS devicesdevice monitorinstallation inshoredate.

Claiming fishingI-VMS activityfunding

Once tofishers helphave improvetheir theI-VMS managementdevice installed and sustainabilityconfirmed ofoperational oureither marineby environment,the ensureengineer properor fishingsupplier practicesfishers andcan preventcommence illegalthe fishinggrant claim process. The grant claim process is expected to helpopen protectfrom andFebruary enhance2022 at the livelihoodsstart of fishers.tranche 1 (see rollout timeline).

UsingFishers GPRSwill mobilebe phoneable signals,to I-VMSclaim devicesup provideto positional£650 informationper (suchvessel asthrough latitudethe andMMO longitude,grant course,reclaim speedprocess that goes towards purchasing a device and datethe initial installation costs. Evidence of purchase and timepayment will be required to complete this process. Part of eachthe positionalgeneral report)funding whichterms isand sentconditions attached to MMO’sthe UKgrant VMSpayments, Hub.is Whenthat athe device ismust locatedmeet outsidea GPRSfive-year range,durability of operation. This means when claiming, the device willshould continuethen tobe storeoperational on the positionalclaimant’s informationvessel andfor submitat least five years, otherwise a percentage of the datafunding oncemay GPRSneed coverageto nextbe becomesreturned.

Timescale

MMO available.has developed a timetable for device installations to balance demand from fishers with supply of devices and availability of engineers to fit them. This is differentnot the schedule fishers must meet to comply with the VMSlegal devicesrequirement usedfor byI-VMS largerbut vessels,a whichframework transmitto datahelp viamanage satellitedemand from fishers with supply of devices and availability of engineers to install them. MMO’s objective is to ensure all fishers with under-12m vessels can becomeget expensive.a device and have it fitted before it becomes a legal requirement in late 2023.

CombinedYou withcan datafind the full timetable on catchour volumes,funding scientificpage.

Support

VAT evidenceconsideration when purchasing and applying for funding.

Fishers who are not VAT-registered will be able to claim the cost of stockthe levelsproduct and VAT up to a rangelimit of other£650. significantFishers data,who I-VMSare VAT-registered will enablebe moreable efficientto decisionsclaim onjust localthe andcost nationalof managementthe measuresproduct, andnot policies.the ItVAT, willsubject alsoto enablethe limit for the MMOgrant of £650

Further information regarding on how to continuallyclaim, improveincluding itsthe targetedgrant assuranceterms activitiesand conditions will be communicated on our I-VMS webpages, as well as in commercial fisheries funding pages, after the clearerdevice picturetesting ofis fishingcomplete.

Claims activityand willassociated helppaperwork highlightshould whichbe vesselssubmitted arewithin consistently30 complyingdays after installation in order assist with regulationsthe onfunding wherereimbursement andprocess. whatIf theya canfisher fish,has purchased and thoseinstalled thata device ahead of their tranche dates, reimbursement payment to the fishers may introducebe riskprioritised to sustainablefishers seain fisheries.the current tranche and therefore potentially subject to a delay in issuing.

I-VMS

Breakdowns legislation

or faults

The introductionMMO ofwill legislationcontinue to makesupport I-VMSfishers mandatoryto hasmeet beentheir delayedobligations and to accountengage foron thisgeneral latestissues information.of Onceconcern. legislationHowever, the MMO is not involved in place,or itresponsible willfor makesourcing itand/or aarranging legalinstallation requirementof forequipment, allnor vesselsrectifying underindividual 12faults metresand inhas length,no bothdirect domesticrelationship with the suppliers of the devices. This is between fishers and foreign,their toI-VMS havedevice supplier.

If an inshoreI-VMS vesseldevice monitoringdevelops systema (I-VMS)fault installedor andneeds transmittingto databe replaced, fishers themselves will have to MMO,engage whenwith theythe arecompany atthat seasupplied intheir Englishdevice waters.to Thisrectify the problem. The MMO is partaware of thefishers’ government’sconcerns strategyabout tonot improvebeing dataable collection to supportfish developmentif oftheir moreI-VMS responsivestops fisheriesworking managementand measureshas anddeveloped practicesa thatprocess willto enable industrythem to benefitgo fromto leavingsea for a limited period while the Commonfault Fisheriesis Policy.put right.

WhenFishers theneed legislationto comescheck intothat forcetheir itdevice willis beoperational everyprior fisher’sto responsibilityleaving tofor ensurefishing. thatAll theyfishers will have athe deviceability fittedto andcheck thatwhether ittheir device is transmittingfunctioning -correctly ifthrough their chosen supplier. e.g., via an app or similar.

Where a fisher identifies their device is not fittedoperational and requires an engineer or supplier remedial work, they must first contact the supplier to log the vesselissue and transmitting,get theyan willunderstanding notof betimescales ablefor a fix. They then need to contact the MMO via ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk to request permission to fish lawfully.

Roll-outvia a defined ‘grace period’. The offering of I-VMSthese devices

Asgrace aperiods responsibleis regulator,at the discretion of the MMO, regularly reviewed and may be withdrawn at any time should MMO isdeem facilitatingit preparationsappropriate to supportdo industry,so. throughAt Typepresent Approval,this grantoffering fundingonly andapplies when in English waters.

Compliance

I-VMS will become a stagedlegal roll-out,requirement soon all under-12m fishing vessels that everyoperate fisherin hasEnglish thewaters. opportunityThis is now expected to become compliant.into force in 2023. The MMO will adopt a proportionate approach in line with its Compliance and Enforcement strategy.

ThePlease roll-outnote: of I-VMS devices must not be removed from vessels unless faulty. In these instances, only a supplier approved engineer is permitted to remove the Englishdevice inshoreto fishingrectify fleetthe hasfault been(costs temporarilymay pausedapply followingdepending on what the resultssupport ofand independentservice assurancearrangements testingfishers onhave devices.purchased through their supplier). The roll-outexception is beingwhere reviewedconnectable andpower allcomponents thoseare requiringused anto I-VMSoperate and power a device on theirthe vesselsvessel. areThe beingfisher contactedis directlypermitted withto updatesdetach these components when the vessel is no longer in use in order for them to be recharged away from the vessel, if needed, but must not remove the remainder of the device. This mirrors similar rules stipulated on theirthe nextover steps.12metre VMS vessels.

For the attention of fishers that intend to operate within Welsh Waters from 2022

FishersThe MMO strongly encourages any English under 12m fishers who haveintend alreadyto purchasedoperate orin installedWelsh waters (at any stage of their operation), to purchase an MMO approved I-VMS devicesdevice thatas havean hadupmost Typepriority, Approvalin statusorder revokednot willto be financiallyimpacted supportedby the introduction of the Welsh I-VMS Statutory Instrument (SI).

Welsh I-VMS measures are set to securebe suitable,introduced replacementearly devices.2022, Moremeaning informationthat if a fisher on thisan processunder 12metre vessel does not operate an I-VMS device when in Welsh waters, they will be sharedin directlybreach withof you.their regulation.

OnIf recommencementyou offeel thethat roll-out,you fishersmight will be ableaffected and you are unsure what to claimdo financialplease supportcontact forus via the costI-VMS ofmailbox purchasingIVMS@marinemanagement.org.uk and installingwe awill Typehelp Approvedguide productyou.

Please throughnote the EuropeanI-VMS Maritimegrant Fisheriesfunding Fundpayment (EMFF),will supportedbe throughprocessed in alignment with the I-VMSwider grantnational paymentsI-VMS system.rollout Furthertimetable, updateswhere willclaims can be sharedprocessed asfrom soonFebruary as possible.onwards.

Frequently

MMO Asked Questions

support

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I-VMS12m FAQ's

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