Inshore Vessel Monitoring (I-VMS) for under-12 metre fishing vessels registered in England
Guidance to assist fishers understand how and when I-VMS will be delivered in English waters, how it may affect them, their responsibilities, and the steps they need to consider.
Important update - 2425 MayMarch 20242025
OnIn 22a May,variation thenotice Primeissued Minsterthis calledweek, aMMO generaloutlined electiona fornew Thursdaylicence 4condition July.
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Wepurchase areand nowinstall inviting fishers with an I-VMS device installedand onmore theirthan vessels£1.57million toin supportgrant ourfunding preparationspaid byout followingto the guidance below. fishers.
YouLetters canhave contactbeen us,issued orto yourfishers supplier,and atthese anyguidance pointpages during this time if you have anybeen questionsupdated orwith encounterguidance anyfor issuesvessel relating to your device.owners:
Preparing for the legislation
TurnYetonyourI-VMSdevice
Switch on your device to ensurepurchase you are supplying power to it and makeinstall surea itdevice
You should read the I-VMS device guidance materials provided by your supplier and if there are anynow issues,expected please contact your device supplier in the first instance. Your supplier may also contact you to make sure everything is working properly.
TransmitandyouritI-VMSmeetsdeviceoperationaldatarequirements.
MMOFishers type-approvedare devicesunder shouldno transmitobligation positional information to thetake UKaction VMSat Hubthis everypoint, threehowever, minutes.if Checkyou your I-VMS device is transmitting data by accessing the I-VMS data app or web portal provided by your supplier. If there are anyplanning issues,a pleasetrip contact your device supplier in the first instance. Your supplier may also contact you to makesea sureon, everythingor issoon working.
Theafter sooner you start transmitting data, the soonerlicence youcondition can better understand your fishing activity, how the device data software and system works, resolve any unexpected issues and be aware of your fishing obligations under the new legislation.
Data privacy
Data transmitted to MMO before the legislation comes into forceeffect, willyou onlymust befollow accessible to the MMOsteps Fisheriesbelow Monitoring Centre and other MMO teams. At this stage, data will only be used by MMO to supportprepare compliance assurance preparation activities. I-VMS data will only be used by MMO for enforcementthis inlicence linecondition with the new legislation, once it is in effect.variation.
DataIf willyou bedelay sharedin withmaking thosethese enforcementarrangements, agenciesyou thatrisk havenot abeing statutoryable obligation to collectfish data,legally such as Devon & Severn IFCA and Welshpossible Government.
Readenforcement the full data privacy notice online hereaction.
Contacting MMO
OurIf dedicated helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by calling 01900 508618, or you canhave emailany ourquestions, I-VMScontact Engagement and Support team at ivms@marinemanagement.org.ukus.
We willusing contact you with further guidance after the electiondetails period has ended.below.
What is I-VMS?
Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) devices monitor inshore fishing activity by under-12 metre vessels. They are similar to the VMS tracking devices used by fishing vessels of 12 metres and greater.greater I-VMSand deviceswill monitor inshore fishing activity by under-12 metre vessels, to help 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
New licence condition requirements come into force on 12 May 2025, requiring the use of a type-approved I-VMS device on any English under-12m vessel undertaking a trip to sea. Introduction of the licence condition is the next stage of MMO’s preparations to support English fishers ahead of statutory legislation, expected to be laid by government later this year.
The introduction of legislation to make I-VMS mandatory iswas expectedintended to come into force in 2024, in the form of a statutory instrument (SI). This was delayed due to the general election in July 2024 and the election of a new government.
Once thisthe 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, whenduring theya aretrip atto sea in English waters.
As Thisa isresponsible partregulator, ofMMO thecontinues government’s strategy to improvefacilitate datapreparations collection to support development of more responsive fisheries management measures and practices that will enable industry towith benefitthese fromnew leavingrequirements. theTo Commondate, Fisheriesthis Policy.
Whenhas thebeen legislationachieved comesthrough intodevice forcetype-approval, itgrant willfunding beand everya fisher’sstaged responsibilityroll-out. toThe ensurelicence thatcondition theyvariation havenotice aissued deviceon fitted28 andMarch that2025 it is transmittingthe -next ifstep ain devicethese ispreparations not fitted to theensure vesselevery andfisher transmitting,has theythe willopportunity notto be ablecompliant tobefore fishthe lawfully.new legislation is introduced.
AsOnce athe responsiblelicence regulator,condition MMO is facilitatingeffect, preparationswe towill supporttake industrya throughmeasured typeapproach approval,to grantenforcement funding and awork stagedwith roll-out,industry soand thatsuppliers every fisher has the opportunity to beaddress compliantany beforeissues thethat newmay legislation is introduced.arise.
LegalExisting legal measures
Fishers that are subject to existing legislation requiring the operation of an I-VMS device, eithersuch as under IFCA or Welsh Government legislation, should takealready actionhave immediatelydevices toand arrangebe antransmitting I-VMS device for your vessel if you haven’t already.data.
Type approved devices
Following independent testing, two I-VMS devices are typetype-approved approved by MMO for use by English licenced vessels fishing in English waters: Fulcrum NEMO and Succorfish SC2.
Each vessel will need to have its own I-VMS device installed and devices cannot be removed from the vessel unless for repair, which needs to be arranged through your supplier and one of their approved engineer.installation engineers.
Devices should only be installedinstalled, fixed or removed by suppliers and/or their approved engineers. Fishers should not attempt to install devices themselves and- any damage or manual interference could void the device warranty.
Full Pleasesupplier speakand device details can be found on the type approved devices page of gov.uk.
Preparing for I-VMS licence condition requirements
Follow the steps below to ensure you meet the deviceoperational supplierrequirements ifof the licence condition. These will allow you wouldto likebecome familiar with your device and better able to temporarilyresolve stopany dataissues transmissionsahead of any trips to MMOsea beforeafter the newlicence legislationcondition comes into effect.
Once the licence condition is effect, duewe inwill 2024.take a measured approach to enforcement and work with industry and suppliers to address any issues.
FullYou suppliercan also view and devicedownload detailsan canoperational berequirements foundstep-by-step information sheet.
Check the power supply
Ensure your device is switched on your device and check the typepower approvedsupply devicesis pagefully ofoperational gov.uk.during trips to sea. If using a portable power bank, make sure it is charged prior to your trip and is connected to your device.
FinancialTransmit support
and check your I-VMS device data
Check your device is transmitting data correctly by accessing the data app or web portal provided by your supplier.
The claimssooner windowyou forstart Europeantransmitting Maritimedata, &the Fisherssooner Fundyou (EMFF)can grantsbetter tounderstand assistyour fishersfishing withactivity, purchasehow the device data software and installationsystem costsworks hasand nowbe closed.aware Anyof fishersyour yetobligations under the new licence conditions.
If you have previously requested to purchasetemporarily astop devicedata willtransmissions needto MMO, you should contact your supplier to coverre-activate theyour coststransmissions themselves.as soon as possible.
Report issues to your supplier
AsEach partsupplier ofhas theprovided termsa anduser conditionsmanual agreedfor device troubleshooting. If you are still unable to whenresolve applyingany forissues, areport Europeanthem Maritimeto &your Fisherssupplier Fundimmediately. (EMFF)Your grant,supplier theremay also contact you to make sure everything is working correctly.
You should not attempt to install, fix or remove your device yourself. This is a requirement forof devicesthe tolicence becondition. installedAdditionally, andany damage or manual interference could void your device warranty.
Understand the operational withinrequirements
Read 90the daysfull I-VMS licence condition requirements to understand the requirements of the grantlicence payment.condition Moreand informationwhat is availableexpected inof you.
Work with us
To help ensure you are compliant with the newlyrequirements, updatedwe FAQs.may contact you to make sure you understand your obligations or if we detect any issues with your device. Once the licence condition is effect, we will take a measured approach to enforcement and work with industry and suppliers to address any issues that may arise.
Purchase and install a device
If you have not yet purchased or installed a type-approved I-VMS device duringon theyour roll-outvessel, programme,you beforeshould 31do Decemberso 2023,now. If you delay making these arrangements, you risk delays in supplier and haveengineer anyavailability questionswhich aboutcould grantresult applicationsin oryou thebeing EMFFunable conditions,to pleasefish contactlegally ourand grantspossible teamenforcement byaction.
You phoningcan 0330also 041view 6579and ordownload emailingthe ukfisheriessupport@marinemanagement.org.uk. buying an I-VMS device step-by-step information sheet.
Choose your preferred type-approved device
ReadLook moreonline aboutor the Europeancontact Maritimeeach &supplier Fisheriesto Funddecide (EMFF)which device and purchase option is most suitable for I-VMS,your includingcircumstances. Full supplier and device details can be found on the fulltype termsapproved anddevices conditions.page.
ContactPurchase us
device from supplier
OurOnce dedicatedyou’ve helplinechosen isa opendevice, Mondaycontact toyour Friday,preferred 9amsupplier to 5pm,purchase byand callingarrange 01900installation.
Please 508618,note: Grant funding is no longer available for the purchase or installation of an I-VMS device.
Install device
Suppliers will provide you with your device along with details of their approved engineers so you can emailarrange ourthe I-VMSinstallation Engagementof andyour Supportdevice.
You teamshould at ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk.not attempt to install, fix or remove your device yourself. This is a requirement of the licence condition. Additionally, any damage or manual interference could void your device warranty.
FrequentlyRead Askedthe Questions
guidance on operational requirements
PleaseMake readsure ouryou updatedare FAQsfamiliar with the operational requirements of the licence condition. This includes checking your device, its power supply and data transmissions. Read the section above on preparing for the licence condition and read the further information.guidance on I-VMS licence condition requirements.
PrivacyData Noticeprivacy
Data transmitted to MMO before the legislationlicence condition comes into force will only be accessible to the MMO Fisheries Monitoring Centre and other MMO teams.teams Atand this stage data will only be used by MMO to support compliance assurance preparation activities.
Data will be shared with those enforcement agencies that have a statutory obligation to collect data, such as Devon & Severn IFCA and Welsh Government.
When the licence condition comes into effect on 12 May 2025, I-VMS data will onlythen be usedaccessible byto MMOall forUK enforcementFisheries inAdministrations lineand withother agencies, including Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA). At that point, the data can be used to monitor compliance and inform evidence-based decision-making for fisheries management. A new legislation,privacy oncenotice itwill isbe inpublished effect.on this guidance page nearer the time.
DataYour personal information including location information will not be sharedaccessible withto thoseother enforcementfishers agenciesor thatthe havepublic.
You acan statutoryread obligationthe tocurrent collectprivacy datanotice suchon asthe Devonpersonal &information Severncharter.
Frequently IFCAAsked andQuestions
Please Welshread Government.our updated FAQs for further information.
