BETA

You're viewing an updated version of this site - your feedback will help us to improve it.

News

Wales first in UK to require all commercial fishing boats have monitoring devices

Wales has today (15 February 2022) become the first nation in the UK to require all of its licensed commercial fishing boats are fitted with a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).

Boats 12 metre or more in length were already required to have such a system in place, but an Order coming into force today (15 February 2022) means those under this size, more than 350 boats, must have a VMS device.

The under 12 metre fishing fleet makes up around 97% of Welsh registered fishing boats.

The VMS will transmit the geographical position, date, time, speed and course of a boat, at least once every 10 minutes, while fishing operations are being undertaken.

This is important in gaining a fuller and accurate picture of fishing boat activity in the Welsh zone, and for Welsh registered boats wherever they may be, to improve fisheries and marine environment management.

For further information visit GOV.Wales
 


Business Wales Helpline

03000 6 03000

Lines are open 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday.

Rydym yn croesawu galwadau’n Gymraeg.
We welcome calls in Welsh.