Guidance for the roll-out of I-VMS

The roll-out of I-VMS devices has been delivered in stages and more than 80% of the English under-12m fleet has a type-approved device installed. A licence condition was introduced in May 2025 requiring their use, and the transmission of positional data, for English vessels when at sea.

Data transmissions to the UK VMS Hub from SC2 devicesdevices, supplied by Succorfish, ceased on 11 August 2025. EnsuringMMO’s thatpriority is to ensure vessels are fitted with devices that transmit positional data to the UK VMS Hub isand beingcan prioritisedcomply andwith MMOthe haslicence contractedcondition. CLS UK Ltd to(previously supplyFulcrum devicesMaritime toSystems thoseLtd) impactedhas tobeen supportcontracted fishermento resumesupply complianceand withinstall theits licenceNemo condition,

Ownersdevices ofat vesselsno fittedcharge withfor SC2those deviceswho mustregistered register for a Nemo device from CLS UK Ltd, which will be provided and installed at no charge, to eligible fishermen who register by 11.59pm on Sunday 12 July 2026.

Next steps

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Further guidance for vessel owners with SC2 devices

RegisterSC2 devices remain type-approved. However, the licence condition requires I-VMS devices to transmit data to the supplier for aongoing Nemotransmission device,to suppliedthe byUK CLSVMS Hub. The UK Ltd,VMS byHub has not received data transmissions from SC2 devices, since 12 JulyAugust 20262025.

This -means, seeSC2 abovedevices forwill details.not enable you to comply with your licence condition.

You are reminded to check contractual obligations with the SC2 device supplier, Succorfish, regarding airtime, warranties, access to positional data and purchase of their device. SC2 devices should not be removed or switched off before the replacement Nemo device has been installed.device.

Data transmissions to the UK VMS Hub from SC2 devices ceased on 11 August 2025, and MMO does not have access to this data. You should still be able to access your SC2 device data on the portal / app provided by Succorfish. You can also request your data directly from the supplier.

The removal and disposal of a device is the responsibility of the vessel owner and should always be undertaken safely and in accordance with local environmental guidelines and MMO guidance, at certified WEEE recycling providers.

Guidance for those fishing in the Devon & Severn IFCA district

Vessels fishing in the Devon & Severn IFCA district are included in this roll-out and should register for a Nemo device to be compliant with the licence condition for English waters.

Please contact the IFCA directly with questions about your Rewire device.

Guidance for vessel owners without an I-VMS device

You will have to cover purchase and installation costs yourself. Details are available on the type approved devices page of gov.uk and please note that CLS UK Ltd is the only supplier of a type-approved device that is transmitting I-VMS data to the UK VMS Hub.

MMO will notify you ahead of plans to resume enforcement of the I-VMS licence condition, but you should act promptly to purchase and install a device to meet the obligations and conditions of your fishing licence. Failure to do so may result in enforcement action for non-compliance..non-compliance.

I-VMS legislation

I-VMS licence condition

A licence condition for English licenced vessels was introduced on 12 May 2025, under the Fisheries Act (2020).(2020), Therequiring licenceunder-12m conditionvessels requirementslicenced statein that:England to:

• AllHave Englishan under-12 metre vessels registered with a commercial fishing vessel licence must have a functioning MMO type-approved I-VMS device installed and operating when undertaking a trip to sea.sea
• ThatHave thetheir device is switched on and transmitting data tofor beonward receivedtransmission byto the UK VMS Hub
• TheMake sure the device is not manually overriddenoverridden, or tampered with or obstructed to prevent the transmission of data.

EnforcementPlease refer to section 15 of your fishing vessel licence for full details.

At this stage of the roll-out, enforcement of the licence condition remains measured and pragmatic atfor thisthose stagewho ofhave made efforts to comply with the roll-out.licence condition.

Full details on the operational requirements are outlined on the I-VMS licence condition requirements guidance page.

Statutory instrument

A statutory instrument will soon be introduced by government, making 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 positional data to MMO, during a trip to sea in English waters.

MMO is supporting industry in preparing for these new requirements. To date, this has been achieved through device type-approval, grant funding, a staged roll-out and the introduction of a licence condition for English vessels, to ensure every fisher has the opportunity to be compliant before the new legislation is introduced.

Existing legal measures

Fishers subject to existing legislation requiring the operation of an I-VMS device, such as under IFCA or Welsh Government legislation, should already have devices and be transmitting data.

Type-approved devices

Following independent testing, two I-VMS devices are type-approved by MMO.

To comply with your licence condition, you must purchase and install a type-approved device that transmits positional data to the UK VMS Hub.

Please note that:

• CLS UK Ltd is the only supplier of a type-approved device that is transmitting I-VMS data to the UK VMS Hub.

If you have not yet purchased or installed a type-approved I-VMS device on your vessel, you should do so now to ensure that you meet the obligations and conditions of your fishing licence.

Full details on suppliers, devices and how to order can be found on the type approved devices page of gov.uk.

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 and will help:

• improve the management and sustainability of our marine environment
• ensure proper fishing practices
• prevent illegal fishing
• 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 cancome becomewith expensive.higher airtime charges.

Why is I-VMS being introduced?

I-VMS data will provide more detailed information on the inshore fleet. This will help us better understand activity undertaken by the fishing industry and the full fleet in our marine environment e.g. recreational, charter, commercial, non-commercial and guardship activity.

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.

Fishers will also be able to track their own activity and better understand their fishing effort.

Data privacy

I-VMS data is accessible to all UK Fisheries Administrations and other agencies, including Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities (IFCA), and can be used for a range of activity including monitoring compliance and informing evidence-based decision-making for fisheries management.

Your personal information including location information will not be accessible to other fishers or the public.

You can read the current privacy notice on the personal information charter.

Frequently Asked Questions

All of the information you need should be included on these guidance pages but there might be some areas that you require a little bit more information about.

Please read our updated FAQs  and contact us if you cannot find the information you are looking for.

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.