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