GovWire

Guidance: Inshore Vessel Monitoring (I-VMS) for under-6m fishing vessels registered in England

Marine Management Organisation

October 25
14:39 2023

Important update 25 October 2023

The roll-out of inshore vessel monitoring system (I-VMS) devices to under six metre vessels has commenced, and all under 12 metre vessels will require an I-VMS device once legislation comes into force, which is expected in April 2024.

Fishers with an under six metre vessel should take action now to purchase an I-VMS device and claim grant funding of up to 1,050, per vessel, by 18 December 2023.

Grant claims no longer require evidence of a device installation or data ping test and installations should be booked as early as possible.

When ordering a device for an under six metre vessel, you do not need to adhere to the installation dates published earlier this year for over six metre vessels. You should focus on ordering a device and reclaiming costs by 18 December 2023

Note: This guidance is for those with under six metre vessels only. Full details of the roll-out to under six metre vessels are published below. Information about I-VMS for vessels 6-12m in length, is available on our guidance page for under 12m vessels.

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.

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 MMOs 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.

Type approved devices

Following independent testing, two devices Fulcrum NEMO and Succorfish SC2 remain type approved.

Fishers should review the list of type approved devices and supplier information and act now to purchase their preferred device.

Fishers with an I-VMS device that is no longer type approved should not attempt to remove that device - the removal and safe disposal of non type approved devices is covered as part of the installation process.

Funding support

Up to 1,050 of European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) grant funding is available to support fishers secure a suitable I-VMS device and reclaim purchase and installation costs.

The process for claiming funding has been streamlined and fishers can now apply for their European Marine and Fisheries Fund (EMFF) grant by providing proof of purchase from their preferred supplier. Grant claims no longer require evidence of a device installation or data ping test, although installations should be booked as early as possible.?

Successful grant applications will be processed within three to five3-5 working days upon receipt of all required information.

To meet EMFF grant payment conditions, devices must be installed within 90 days of purchase and claims must be made by Monday 18 December 2023. 30 November 2023

Read more and make your grant claim of up to 1,050 from the?European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) for i-VMS.

Roll-out of I-VMS devices to under six metre fleet

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.

Fishers with vessels under six metres will benefit from the same grant funding of up to 1,050 per vessel and the streamlined claims process, which now only requires proof of purchase before repayments are issued, typically within three to five working days. The under six metre fleet can make funding claims up until Monday 18 December 2023.

  1. Choose your preferred device??

If you have not already done so, consider the most suitable device for your circumstances. Information about type approved I-VMS devices is available on GOV.UK website:? www.gov.uk/mmo/i-vms-england.??

Suppliers of both type approved devices have confirmed that their I-VMS units can be fixed to under six metre vessels and both suppliers offer removeable power sources.??

You can contact each supplier to discuss your requirements and their purchase options using these contact details:??

Fulcrum (NEMO device)??

Phone: +44 (0)1708 788400??

Website: https://fulcrum-maritime.groupcls.com/nemo-i-vms/??

Succorfish (SC2 device):??

Phone: +44 (0)1914 476883??

Website: http://www.succorfish.com/??

  1. Purchase device from supplier??

Once youve chosen a device, contact your preferred supplier to purchase it you should typically receive your invoice, by email, within 24 hours.??

  1. Apply for grant funding?by 18 December 2023?

Up to 1,050 of European Maritime & Fisheries Fund (EMFF) grant funding is currently available to support fishers secure a suitable I-VMS device and reclaim purchase and installation costs.?

You can use your invoice as proof of purchase and start your grant claim application. You will also need to provide personal information e.g. ID, address and bank account details. You do not need to wait for your device to be installed to submit a grant application.??

Apply online:?

www.gov.ukhttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/european-maritime-fisheries-fund-emff-i-vms??

  1. Receive your grant payment??

On receipt of all required information we will process your grant application and payment will be issued to you within three to five working days.??

  1. Install device??

An installation date should be arranged directly with suppliers and/or their engineers.?Please note: To meet EMFF grant payment conditions, devices must be installed within 90 days of purchasing a type approved I-VMS device.

I-VMS legislation

The introduction of legislation to make I-VMS mandatory is expected to come into force in April 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 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.

When the legislation comes into force it will be every 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.

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 and notify the supplier that you are affected by I-VMS measures when arranging your installation.

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

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