Vessel Monitoring System

Description

Vessel monitoring systems have been used by all European fishing vessels over-15 metre since 2003. In 2012 legislation was introduced requiring all vessels engaged in the Welsh Scallop fishery to have a vessel monitoring system on board. In 2013 a vessel monitoring system was introduced for all EU vessels 12 metres and over. These systems are widely used as a monitoring and management tool. We are proposing to introduce a similar vessel monitoring system for all under-12 metre vessels in Wales which accounts for approximately 97% of the Welsh fishing fleet. The system will improve the Welsh Government’s understanding of commercial fishing operations in Welsh waters and in turn will be used to inform the management of this marine area. The under-12 metre vessel monitoring system will use low cost mobile technologies for data transmissions to reduce costs for end users. Vessel monitoring systems have been used by all European fishing vessels over-15 metre since 2003. In 2012 legislation was introduced requiring all vessels engaged in the Welsh Scallop fishery to have a vessel monitoring system on board. In 2013 a vessel monitoring system was introduced for all EU vessels 12 metres and over. These systems are widely used as a monitoring and management tool. We are proposing to introduce a similar vessel monitoring system for all under-12 metre vessels in Wales which accounts for approximately 97% of the Welsh fishing fleet. The system will improve the Welsh Government’s understanding of commercial fishing operations in Welsh waters and in turn will be used to inform the management of this marine area. The under-12 metre vessel monitoring system will use low cost mobile technologies for data transmissions to reduce costs for end users.