Wales has put itself ahead of the rest of the UK in requiring all licensed commercial fishing boats to be fitted with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).
VMS has already been a requirement for vessels over 12 metres, but a new Order requires this now for smaller craft, and this applies to around 350 commercial fishing vessels registered in Wales, or around 97% of Welsh-registered fishing vessels.
‘We want to help ensure a sustainable and prosperous fishing industry in Wales and this step will be fundamental to the effective management of fisheries and the wider marine environment,’ said Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths.
‘The implementation of the catch recording system for under 10m vessels in 2020 means we now have better information about what is being caught, and this combined with VMS will give us a fuller picture of fishing in Wales and where it is taking place.’
VMS transmits position, date, time, speed and course of a boat, at least once every ten minutes.
‘It will also provide the industry with evidence of their catch origin and fishing grounds which could be used to resolve any disputes with other marine users,’ Lesley Griffiths added.
‘We have worked closely with the industry and have offered substantial funding via the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund to help prepare fishers for this new requirement.’
Vessel Monitoring Systems have been offered for free to the relevant Welsh fishing fleet, although due to European Maritime and Fisheries Fund rules, from now onwards vessel operators will have to purchase the devices themselves.
Free device installation began in December 2020 although no monitoring of fishing activity of the under 12m fishing fleet has been undertaken before the legislation comes into force today.
More than 98% of boats in this category have been fitted with a VMS. The installation of VMS on vessels is done in full consultation with the owner and is carried out by fully qualified engineers.
