It’s been two months since the I-VMS licence condition was introduced, and a great time to review our progress and address some of the common questions we’ve been receiving from fishers.
We’ve seen a significant rise in the number of vessels fitted with devices and sharing data to MMO since the licence condition came into force on 12 May 2025.
As of today, 90% of under-12m vessels now have an I-VMS device installed and more than 70% of the active fleet is regularly transmitting data to MMO during trips to sea. This is an incredible effort by the fishing industry, and we would like to thank every fisher who has engaged in the I-VMS roll-out.
This data will be crucial to the development of fisheries management plans and wider discussions about marine management of our waters.
Using your feedback
We are grateful for the valuable feedback that has been shared with us about the I-VMS roll-out - whether that’s by phone, email or in person to the I-VMS support team, at regional Fisheries Group (RFG) meetings or through your local coastal office.
Your input is crucial in helping us to support you. We’ve already addressed many of these in our letters and guidance, but for those who still have questions or are yet to act, here’s a recap of the most common enquiries:
- The licence condition process
- Approach to compliance and enforcement
- How I-VMS works and common issues
- The installation process
- Protecting your privacy
- Why I-VMS?
- Looking to the future.
Licence condition process
On 12 May 2025, we introduced a licence condition that requires the use of an MMO type-approved I-VMS device by all English under-12m vessels during a trip to sea.
The aim of this approach is to provide a period before the Statutory Instrument (SI) comes into force where we can work with fishers and device suppliers to help make sure everyone is prepared.
The licence condition for I-VMS has been introduced in line with our powers as a regulator under Schedule 3 of the Fisheries Act (2020). Licence conditions apply to all licence holders within MMO’s administration, meaning it is now law and a legal requirement.
The future intent, under the SI, is for I-VMS to become a requirement for all under-12m fishing vessels – both foreign and domestic - operating in English waters (the English EEZ). In addition to supporting English fishers, we are engaging with European administrations to ensure their vessels are aware of the SI and can prepare for this change.
Details of the I-VMS requirements are in section 16 of your fishing licence – visit understand your fishing vessel licence on GOV.UK.
Approach to compliance and enforcement
What this means in practice, is that fishers without I-VMS devices should now purchase and install one, if they intend to undertake a trip to sea. Those with devices already installed should turn them on. To check the device is transmitting data, fishers can use the app or web portal provided by suppliers, or by contacting our I-VMS team.
We are committed to helping ensure that English fishers are as ready as they can be for the SI.
Where we hold no record of a device purchase or installation, or where our records show a vessel has undertaken a trip to sea but has not reported any I-VMS data, we may send a letter with further guidance. If you think our records are not up to date, please contact us with the relevant information so we can update them.
Once we are informed fishers are taking steps to be compliant by arranging installation or working with suppliers to resolve issues, we will take a measured approach to any enforcement activity under the licence condition.
How I-VMS works
I-VMS devices record positional data of a vessel. This includes the device ID, date, time, latitude, longitude, speed, and course. Using GPRS signal the device sends this information at regular intervals (every three minutes) to the UK VMS Hub. This is more cost-effective than the satellite data transfer used by many larger vessels. If there is a GPRS signal ‘dead zone’ the device will store the data and transmit this once it is back in range.
Once the I-VMS device is fitted to a vessel, it works automatically when powered (the LED on the device will be illuminated), meaning fishers do not have to spend time turning it on and setting it up each time they go out to sea.
There is no video recording associated with the I-VMS devices, nor will these devices be used for tracking of individual(s).
Common issues
The most common issue fishers have shared with us since introducing the licence condition is non-reporting devices.
This could be due to devices needing a restart or software updates after having been installed and / or powered down for a period of time. It could also be a data transmission issue, which can be checked through an app or web portal provided by the supplier or by contacting our I-VMS team.
If you have questions about your device, we recommend you contact your device supplier to report the issue. You can also notify our I-VMS team, but this is not mandatory.
Regularly providing power to your device, even during periods when your vessel is not at sea, will help ensure it captures any software updates issued by the supplier.
The installation process
Devices should only be installed by an engineer approved by your device supplier. Any attempts to install a device yourself, could be considered as tampering and may potentially void your warranty.
We are aware that engineer availability in some areas can cause a delay due to the demand created by the I-VMS licence condition. If you are waiting for a device to be installed, you might receive a letter from us asking for an update to ensure that we take the appropriate approach to any enforcement activity under the licence condition.
Removing devices for remediation work
If you have been advised of, or have reported, an issue with your device or its data transmissions, and the device supplier has requested the device is returned for inspection, it may be possible for fishers to remove the device manually.
This can only be done with written agreement from the supplier, who will provide instructions for the safe removal of the device.
This temporary dispensation has been made following feedback from fishers and accommodate for engineer availability and help facilitate the timely resolution of any issues. This dispensation is in place during the remainder of the licence condition and only when a device needs to be returned to the supplier to investigate any issues / repairs.
In no other circumstance should fishers remove devices themselves. Devices will need to be re-installed by an approved engineer once the supplier has resolved the issue.
Protecting your privacy
Data transmitted by I-VMS devices can be seen only by those listed in the I-VMS privacy notice and device owners.
Device owners can access their data through an app or web portal provided by the supplier.
Other fishers and the public cannot see this data. MMO can only share the information with organisations that require it as part of regulating and managing the marine environment. This includes MMO and other agencies, such as local IFCAs and devolved fisheries administrations, if a vessel enters their waters. Any data that is shared is governed by strict data sharing principles and regulations, including data protection and GDPR rules, and in line with the I-VMS data privacy notice.
Thinking of selling…?
If you are selling a vessel with an I-VMS device already installed, prior to the sale, you should check the contractual agreement with your supplier to understand if the device can be transferred to your new vessel, or to a new owner.
A transfer of ownership is subject to data protection and GDPR legislation, which is why the original owner needs to make the request. You should also let our I-VMS team know so they can update their records.
Read the full guidance on the I-VMS operational requirements section of GOV.UK.
Why I-VMS?
Now that the UK is an independent coastal state, we have the scope to determine the best fisheries management strategies to support a thriving industry for future generations while conserving our vital marine environment.
This is part of a wider government strategy to improve data collection to support development of more responsive fisheries management measures and practices that will enable the industry to benefit from leaving the Common Fisheries Policy.
I-VMS devices will provide valuable data on the fishing patterns and activity of the inshore fleet to directly inform these crucial planning decisions and safeguard the fishing industry for the future.
I-VMS data will support assurance work by MMO and IFCAs in ensuring fisheries regulations are being complied with by all fishing vessels throughout England’s waters.
When combined with data on catch volumes, scientific evidence of stock levels and a range of other significant data, I-VMS data will also 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 the sustainable harvest of sea fisheries.
Looking to the future
MMO is not the only fisheries administration introducing I-VMS. It’s already in place for vessels fishing in Welsh waters, while it is also required for those operating in the Devon & Severn IFCA district. Others are at various stages of that process too with the aim of working together to sustain fishing for the future.
We are committed to making the best use of this technology to:
- Enable more accurate monitoring of the types of fishing being undertaken. This means access may be allowed to certain types of fishing in areas where it was previously prohibited.
- Provide evidence for use in consultations on marine planning such as offshore windfarms, marine protected areas and marine infrastructure developments, which have been increasing over the last decade.
- Prove that England’s fishers and marine regulator are taking appropriate steps to ensure fisheries are sustainable and allow our fishing industry better market the sustainability of its products.
Contact us
You can reach our dedicated I-VMS team via email at ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk or by calling 01900 508 618. The contact centre number is staffed from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours, messages can be left.
Visit GOV.UK for more information on I-VMS.
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