Legislation that requires all under-12 metre vessels fishing in English waters to have operational I-VMS is just months away.
Defra has confirmed to Marine Management Organisation (MMO), that the drafting of the legislation is in its final stages. The MMO confirms that more than 80% of the English under-12m fleet have purchased I-VMS devices.
Grant funding of £1.3m has been claimed to cover purchase and installation costs. Almost 100% of those purchasing a device have their devices installed, with the remaining installations due in the coming weeks, pending completion of vessel refits or other exceptional circumstances which may have prevented installations from happening sooner.
‘We have been preparing for the new legislation to be laid this spring, and it is good to know that the review process is in its final stages. As such, all vessels fishing in English waters should be prepared to have an operational I-VMS device in place from this summer.
‘Our priority for the I-VMS roll-out programme has always been to support industry to be ready for this new legislation. The positive uptake has been great to see and we thank everyone who has participated so far.,’ said Sean Douglas, Head of Regulatory Assurance for MMO.
‘There are still a few fishers yet to purchase a device and arrange installations. For those to be compliant with the legislation and be able to fish lawfully when it comes into effect, we urge them to contact the suppliers of the two type-approved devices while there is still time.’
