Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) devices for under-12 metre fishing vessels registered in England

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 can become expensive.

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.

I-VMS legislation

The introduction of legislation to make I-VMS mandatory was intended 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 formation of a new government and is now due in 2025.

Once the 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, during a trip to sea in English waters.

As a responsible regulator, MMO continues to facilitate preparations to support industry with these new requirements. To date, this has been achieved through device type-approval, grant funding and a staged roll-out. The introduction of a licence condition is the next step in preparations, to ensure every fisher has the opportunity to be compliant before the new legislation is introduced.

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.

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 for use by English licenced vessels fishing in English waters:

• Fulcrum NEMO.
• Succorfish SC2.

Each vessel will need to have its own MMO type-approved I-VMS device installed.

Devices should only be installed, fixed or removed by suppliers and/or their approved engineers. Fishers should not attempt to install devices themselves - any damage or manual interference could void the device warranty.

If you have not yet purchased or installed a type-approved I-VMS device on your vessel, you should do so now. If you delay making these arrangements, you risk delays in supplier and engineer availability which could result in you being unable to fish legally and possible enforcement action.  

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

I-VMS licence condition requirements

The licence condition requirements state that:

• All English under-12 metre vessels registered with a commercial fishing vessel licence must have a functional MMO type-approved I-VMS device when undertaking a trip to sea.
• That the device is switched on and transmitting data to be received by the UK VMS Hub
• The device is not manually overridden or tampered with to prevent the transmission of data.

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

You can also view and download an operational requirements step-by-step information sheet.

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

Please read our updated FAQs for further information.

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.