Vessel Monitoring System (VMS): Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how the Vessel Monitoring System works for commercial fishing vessels in New Zealand and what you need to do to stay compliant.
The Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is a mandatory tracking requirement used to monitor the location and movement of commercial fishing vessels within specific zones.
Who it's for
This requirement applies to specified commercial fishing vessels. If your vessel falls under the category of a commercial fishing vessel as defined by the regulations, you are required to participate in this monitoring system.
What you get
The primary benefit of this system is compliance monitoring for fishing zones. This ensures that all commercial fishing activity is tracked, which helps maintain regulated fishing zones and provides a way to verify that vessels are operating where they are permitted to be.
What it costs you
The responsibility for the financial aspects of the system lies with the vessel owner or operator. You will need to cover the initial costs for the equipment installation on your vessel. Additionally, you are responsible for all ongoing maintenance costs required to keep the hardware in working order throughout your fishing operations.
The catch to know
The most important thing to remember is how to handle technical issues. If your monitoring hardware experiences a failure, you must report it immediately. Neglecting to report a hardware failure right away is a significant risk, as it could lead to compliance action from the authorities.
How to apply
- Confirm that your vessel is categorized as a specified commercial fishing vessel.
- Coordinate the installation of the required monitoring hardware on your vessel.
- Establish a schedule for the ongoing maintenance of the equipment to prevent unexpected downtime.
- Monitor your equipment's status constantly and report any hardware failures to the relevant authorities without delay.