Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) devices for under-12 metre fishing vessels registered in England
Guidance to assist fishers understand the role of I-VMS and their responsibilities.
Important update - 12 May 2025
A licence condition is now in force, requiring the use of an MMO type-approved I-VMS device on any English licensed under-12m vessel undertaking any trip to sea.
An I-VMS device is a tool that captures the position, course and speed of the vessel. This data will provide valuable insights to the activities of the inshore fleet, and when combined with other data, such as that collected for the over-12m fleet, we will have a more complete picture of all fishing in English waters. This will be used to support decisions and assessments, such as, but not limited to, fisheries management planning, policy development, conservation efforts, statistical and scientific analysis, compliance and law enforcement.
This early notice of the incoming licence condition is the next stage of MMO’s preparations to support English fishers ahead of statutory legislation, expected to be laid by government later this year.
This announcement follows a roll-out of I-VMS devices, which saw over 80% of industry purchase and install an I-VMS device and more than £1.57million in grant funding paid out to fishers.
If you delay in making these arrangements, you risk not being able to fish legally and possible enforcement action.
If you have any questions, contact us using the details below.
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.
Updates to this page
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Guidance updated to reflect that a licence condition is now in force for the use of I-VMS devices on licensed English vessels, under-12 metres in length, undertaking a trip to sea.
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New guidance added to support industry prepare for a new licence condition that will require the use of I-VMS devices on English registered under-12m vessels.
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I-VMS small amends
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24 May update
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Update to "Type approved devices" section
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Update 18 January 2024
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7 December update
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Small amends
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25 October update
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FAQ update
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FAQs updated.
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I-VMS update 16/08
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FAQ updated
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FAQ Update
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IVMS update
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Added - Important update - 19 June 2023
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Update as at 19 May 2023, following outcome of independent assurance testing.
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Updated to include link to announcement of independent test results - 18 May 2023
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25 April 2023 update.
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April 20 2023 update
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Update 01 December 2022.
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November update 2022
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I-VMS privacy policy 21/10/2022
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August update
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Friday 22 July update
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Update on Maritime Systems Ltd test transmissions.
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Industry update - Data transmission issue - Maritime Systems Ltd - June 1 2022
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Page updated with privacy statement
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Updates to page following reinstatement of Maritime systems to approved device list
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I-VMS updates to page
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First published.