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
919 AugustJune 2023 — See all updates

Important update –- 919 AugustJune 2023

TheFollowing roll-outthe ofupdate inshoredated vessel19 monitoringMay system2023 (I-VMS)below, deviceswe hascan restarted.

Followingnow independentconfirm testing,that twothe devicesminor -fixes and further review of the Fulcrum NEMONemo and Succorfish SC2 –has been completed and these devices remain type approved.

We MMOare hasnow beenin workingthe closelyprocess of developing a revised roll-out plan and will update again in the coming weeks with suppliersfurther details on improvingthe processesnext tosteps makefor itI-VMS.

Until easierthen, andour moreguidance convenientremains forthe same - fishers should not take any actions to orderpurchase, andremove installor devices.replace I-VMS devices at this time.

TheYou newcan plancontinue focusesto onfish scheduledas portthe visitsproposed betweenlegislation 4is Septembernot expected to 30be Novemberimplemented 2023,until 2024. We are advised that IFCA has been in contact/working with installationsall deliveredvessels fishing in phasesareas atrequiring EnglishI-VMS homedevices portsin withtheir byelaws.

Grant applications to cover the largestoriginal numberinstallation ofcosts registeredare vessels,being prioritisingprocessed, theand overwe 6encourage metreany fleet.fishers that have already installed a device, to submit an application.

OverWe thewould nextlike fewto weeks,reiterate MMOthat fishers will also be workingfinancially withsupported suppliersto andsecure industrysuitable, replacement devices.

Our dedicated helpline is open Monday to fullyThursday understand9am theto practicalities5pm and planFriday the9am inclusionto of4.30pm underby 6calling metre01900 vessels508618, inyou thecan roll-out.email Weour expectengagement toand havesupport anteam at ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Important update – 19 May 2023

Last year, following feedback, MMO acted and commissioned independent assurance testing on thisType inApproved comingI-VMS weeksdevices. This has now been completed and willwe confirmhave astaken soonthe asdecision possibleto whatcontinue the pause of the I-VMS device roll-out plansuntil willfurther be.notice.

InMMO lineremains withconfident assurancesthat giventhe toroll-out fishers,programme MMOwill confirmsbe itable willto coverprogress, costsbut with a reduced number of upType toApproved £1,050devices.

The toFulcrum supportNemo fishersand withSuccorfish securingSC2 adevices suitablewill I-VMSremain device,Type meaningApproved fishersfollowing canminor reclaimfixes purchaseand independent review. The other devices, Maritime Systems MS44 and installationthe costs.Satlink Nano, have had their Type Approved status revoked as they did not meet assurance test thresholds.

TheMMO is in the process forof claimingcontacting fundingall fishers with further information based on which device has been streamlinedpurchased.

Product andType fishersApproved status revoked

If you have purchased a Maritime Systems MS44 or Satlink Nano device, MMO can nowconfirm applythat foryou theirwill Europeanbe Marinefinancially supported to secure suitable, replacement devices. You will be contacted directly with more information and Fisheriesthere Fundis (EMFF)no grantrequirement byfor providingyou proofto take any action at this stage. We appreciate you will have questions regarding removal/replacement of purchasedevices fromand theirfinancial preferredimpact, supplier.and we will bring you further updates on how we can support you.

Product Type Approved status retained

EMFFIf grantsyou arehave purchased a Fulcrum Nemo and Succorfish SC2 device (which have retained Type Approval status) you will be notified directly. Please bear with us while we work with the supplier to recommence roll-out as soon as possible. You do not need to take any further action.

Fishers who have not purchased or installed an I-VMS device

Please take no further action at this stage. Further updates will be made available untilas 30soon Novemberas 2023.possible. All suppliers have been notified and advised not to sell or install devices until further notice.

DetailsI-VMS device suppliers have already been notified of our decisions. We are currently working closely with suppliers who have retained Type Approval status to plan the portsnext beingstage targeted,of andthe associatedroll-out phaseof dates,I-VMS devices. Further updates will be communicatedshared directlywith tofishersyou fromas mid-August,soon althoughas possible.

Update on I-VMS legislation

The roll-out of I-VMS devices is important and will help fishers canto bookensure anthey installationare withcompliant theirahead preferredof suppliergovernment’s upcoming legislation, which will require all commercial fishing vessels operating in English waters to be tracked, including English vessels, vessels from today.across Anyonethe withUK aand deviceall alreadyforeign fittedvessels whichlicensed isto nofish longerin typeEnglish approvedwaters.

The shouldintroduction notof attemptlegislation to removemake theseI-VMS devicesmandatory themselves.has been delayed to account for this latest information.

Enquiries

OurA dedicated helpline ishas openalso been set up to help with enquiries. Call 01900 508618 Monday to Friday,Thursday 9am to 5pm, by5pm callingand 01900Friday 508618,9am orto you4.30pm. canIt emailwill also be operating on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 May from 10am to 4pm.

Before calling, please read our updated I-VMS EngagementFAQs andto Supportsee teamif atthey ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk.provide the information that you need.

What is I-VMS?

Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) devices are similar to the VMS tracking devices used by fishing vessels of 12 metres and greater. I-VMS devices monitor inshore fishing activity to help improve the management and sustainability of our marine environment, ensure proper fishing practices and prevent illegal fishing to help protect and enhance the livelihoods of fishers.

Using GPRS mobile phone signals, I-VMS devices provide positional information (such as latitude and longitude, course, speed and date and time of each positional report) which is sent to MMO’s UK VMS Hub. When a device is located outside GPRS range, the device will continue to store the positional information and submit the data once GPRS coverage next becomes available. This is different to the VMS devices used by larger vessels, which transmit data via satellite and can become expensive.

Combined with data on catch volumes, scientific evidence of stock levels and a range of other significant data, I-VMS will enable more efficient decisions on local and national management measures and policies. It will also enable the MMO to continually improve its targeted assurance activities as the clearer picture of fishing activity will help highlight which vessels are consistently complying with regulations on where and what they can fish, and those that may introduce risk to sustainable sea fisheries.

I-VMS legislation

The introduction of legislation to make I-VMS mandatory ishas expectedbeen delayed to comeaccount intofor forcethis inlatest 2024.information. . Once legislation is in place, it will bemake it a legal requirement for all vessels under 12 metres in length, both domestic and foreign, to have an inshore vessel monitoring system (I-VMS) installed and transmitting data to MMO, when they are at sea in English waters. This is part of the government’s strategy to improve data collection to support development of more responsive fisheries management measures and practices that will enable industry to benefit from leaving the Common Fisheries Policy.

When the legislation comes into force it will be every fisher’s responsibility to ensure that they have a device fitted and that it is transmitting - if a device is not fitted to the vessel and transmitting, they will not be able to fish lawfully.

Roll-out of I-VMS devices

As a responsible regulator, MMO is facilitating preparations to support industry, through typeType approval,Approval, grant funding and a staged roll-out, so that every fisher has the opportunity to be compliant.

The roll-out of I-VMS roll-outdevices planto isthe basedEnglish oninshore anfishing installationfleet schedulehas ofbeen porttemporarily visitspaused runningfollowing fromthe 4results Septemberof toindependent 30assurance Novembertesting 2023.

on devices. The roll-out planis willbeing seereviewed installationand engineersall availablethose inrequiring fishers’an homeI-VMS portsdevice foron settheir periods,vessels startingare inbeing portscontacted directly with theupdates higheston numberstheir ofnext registered vessels.steps.

MMOFishers willwho initiallyhave focusalready thepurchased roll-outor oninstalled theI-VMS overdevices 6that metrehave fleethad andType detailsApproval status revoked will be publicisedfinancially insupported advance.

Beginningto withsecure thesuitable, targetingreplacement ofdevices. portsMore withinformation theon highestthis numbersprocess ofwill vessels,be weshared aredirectly aimingwith toyou.

On makerecommencement of the installationroll-out, processfishers morewill convenientbe andable efficientto claim financial support for fishers,the helpingcost toof reducepurchasing disruptionand toinstalling fishinga activity,Type andApproved bestproduct supportingthrough industry.

Furtherthe detailsEuropean willMaritime beFisheries sharedFund with(EMFF), fisherssupported fromthrough mid-August,the althoughI-VMS fishersgrant canpayments purchasesystem. aFurther typeupdates approvedwill devicebe fromshared now.as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

PleaseYou readcan oura updatedlist I-VMSof FAQsour forfrequently furtherasked information .questions.

I-VMS FAQs - August 2023FAQ's (

PDF, 29892.2 KB, 83 pages)

Privacy NoticeStatement

  • I-VMS Privacy Notice

    • PDF, 160 KB, 7 pages

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