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

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 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 is expected to come into force in 2024. . Once legislation is in place, it will be 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 type approval, grant funding and a staged roll-out, so that every fisher has the opportunity to be compliant.

The I-VMS roll-out plan is based on an installation schedule of port visits running from 4 September to 30 November 2023.

The roll-out plan will see installation engineers available in fishers’ home ports for set periods, starting in ports with the highest numbers of registered vessels.

MMO will initially focus the roll-out on the over 6 metre fleet and details will be publicised in advance.

Beginning with the targeting of ports with the highest numbers of vessels, we are aiming to make the installation process more convenient and efficient for fishers, helping to reduce disruption to fishing activity, and best supporting industry.

Further details will be shared with fishers from mid-August, although fishers can purchase a type approved device from now.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our updated I-VMS FAQs for further information .

I-VMS FAQs - August 2023 (MS

PDF, Word249 DocumentKB, 71.89 KBpages)

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