Inshore Vessel Monitoring (I-VMS) for under-12munder-12 andmetre over-6m 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 by under-12 metre vessels, 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.April 2024, in the form of a statutory instrument (SI). Once this 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.

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 before the new legislation is introduced.

Legal measures

Fishers that are subject to existing legislation requiring the operation of an I-VMS device, either under IFCA or Welsh Government legislation, should take action immediately andto notifyarrange thean supplierI-VMS thatdevice youfor areyour affectedvessel byif I-VMSyou measureshaven’t when arranging your installation.already.

Type approved devices

Following independent testing, two I-VMS devices –are Fulcrumtype NEMOapproved andby SuccorfishMMO SC2for –use remainby typeEnglish approved.licenced vessels fishing in English waters: Fulcrum NEMO and Succorfish SC2.

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FundingFinancial support

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Read more about the European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for i-VMSI-VMS., including the full terms and conditions.

Contact us 

Our dedicated helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by calling 01900 508618, or you can email our I-VMS Engagement and Support team at ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please read our updated FAQs for further information.

Privacy Notice

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