Marine Management Organisation
Latest update - 16 August 2022
The roll-out of the Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) to the English inshore fishing fleet continues at pace with more than 1000 devices successfully purchased and installed since launch.
Fishermen who have already purchased their I-VMS device and had it installed are claiming financial support of up to 650 of the costs of the new devices through the European Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF), supported through the I-VMS grant payments system. To date, MMO has successfully paid out nearly 400k in EMFF grants to eligible fishers once devices have successfully connected to the MMO hub.
The four I-VMS devices currently on offer to fishermen were subject to a robust Type Approval process where suppliers were required to demonstrate that devices met a set of technical standards. Engagement has continued throughout roll-out and we continue to listen, consider and act in response to the feedback we receive from fishers and suppliers.
To offer further additional assurance to fishermen, we are in the process of arranging for all four devices to receive additional independent testing against the type approval specification. This is so that those who have already purchased devices, and those that have yet to invest in their chosen device, can have additional reassurance that devices will continue to meet the technical requirements when the Statutory Instrument and legal requirement on the use of I-VMS devices comes into force.
We understand that there may be fishermen who will prefer to wait until the results of this additional testing has been published and communicated to the fishing industry before choosing and purchasing their I-VMS device. As such, we have contacted all suppliers of type-approved devices to advise that they may wish to pause active marketing of additional devices until the additional testing has been completed.
Although the roll-out programme continues, we acknowledge the delays and impact of additional testing and are therefore extending the installation and grant application deadline of Tranche 4, which is due to begin on 17 August 2022, by an additional 16 weeks. This means that those fishermen with vessels registered in England that are below 6m in overall length can now claim grant funding until 5th May 2023 (moving from 13th January 2023).
We will continue to engage and update suppliers and fishermen on the outcome of the additional testing.
Apply now
You can apply for your grant now by clicking the button below.
What is I-VMS?
Legislation is due to come into force which will make it a legal requirement for all vessels under 12 metres in length to have an inshore vessel monitoring system (I-VMS) installed and transmitting data to the MMO when they are at sea in English waters. This is part of the Governments 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.
I-VMS is similar to VMS tracking devices utilised by fishing vessels 12 metres and greater in overall length. It provides positional information such as latitude and longitude, course, speed and date and time of each positional report. However, rather than transmitting data via satellite, which can become expensive, it reports its data via mobile phone signal (GPRS). This is a cheaper alternative, and the frequency of reports can be set at a higher level. When the 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 data will be sent to the MMO UK VMS Hub.
Data derived from I-VMS will provide a more complete picture of all fishing in our seas. 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.
When the legislation comes into force (currently expected in late 2022) it will be the fishers 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. The MMO is not responsible for ensuring that fishers are ready but, as a responsible regulator, is facilitating preparations through type approval, grant funding and a staged rollout, so every fisher can be compliant and delivery demands are spread across 2022.
Approved devices & companies
Devices
We have a list of devices that meet the I-VMS specification of requirements set out in the MMOs type approval process. These approved I-VMS devices will deliver the required level of data to the MMO, through the UK VMS Hub. All products are designed for the marine field.
The MMO invited potential suppliers to participate in the type approval process to identify devices that met the minimum I-VMS technical specification, ensuring such products are suitable within the marine environment, provide a high level of positional accuracy (to within ten metres) and deliver reliable frequency of data transmission using GPRS (e.g. mobile phone signal) to the MMO.
You can find the list of I-VMS type approved devices on the official I-VMS approval list website
Companies
You can find the official list of companies who have supplied I-VMS approved devices here. This includes images of the devices, dimension, contact information and a service support pack.
How to apply
When considering the device and supplier, fishers need to determine:
- where to locate and secure the device to their vessel. All devices have the capability to be attached onto the structure of a vessel, including on bar frames. Speak to suppliers.
- whether the device will be connected to the vessels onboard electrics or whether it is to be operated using the device alternative power options independent from the vessel.
- what service, support and warranty packages are attached with the device?
- how the supplier intends to resolve matters if a fault arise on their device. Also, the availability and distance of their engineers for installs.
- note that I-VMS funding can be claimed (up to 650 per vessel). See claiming I-VMS funding section
We advise fishers to have these discussions with suppliers. The suppliers can then understand what is important to you and what considerations are required to enable a device to be fitted on to your vessel.
Contract
It is important to understand that fishers will be signing a contract with their chosen device supplier. Therefore, fishers need to negotiate and understand what service and support package best suits them.
To note the frequency of I-VMS data will be set at a rate of every three minutes when in English waters. This will be laid out within the legislation. The annual airtime for fishers is around 120 to 180 per year. In addition, English fishers will continue to report data at this rate when outside English waters. As the devices use mobile phone technology, fishers should ensure their chosen device can report at 4G.
Arranging fitting
Once fishers have determined which device and supplier they have chosen and have agreed contracts, then both parties (fisher and supplier) will agree a suitable I-VMS device installation date.
Claiming I-VMS funding
Once fishers have their I-VMS device installed and confirmed operational either by the engineer or supplier fishers can commence the grant claim process. The grant claim process is expected to open from February 2022 at the start of tranche 1 (see rollout timeline).
Fishers will be able to claim up to 650 per vessel through the MMO grant reclaim process that goes towards purchasing a device and the initial installation costs. Evidence of purchase and payment will be required to complete this process. Part of the general funding terms and conditions attached to the grant payments, is that the device must meet a five-year durability of operation. This means when claiming, the device should then be operational on the claimants vessel for at least five years, otherwise a percentage of the funding may need to be returned.
Timescale
MMO has developed a timetable for device i