Following the announcement of the restart of the roll-out of Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) devices, the MMO has released further details on the schedule and plan for English port visits.

From 9 August 2023, fishers have been able to purchase, and arrange the installation of, a type-approved device, either the Fulcrum NEMO or Succorfish SC2, directly with suppliers. To help both industry and suppliers coordinate installations effectively, MMO has shared information on a series of scheduled port visits running from 4 September to 30 November 2023.

The roll-out plan will see installation engineers available in fishers’ home ports for set periods, starting in ports with the highest numbers of registered vessels requiring the installation of a device (photo: Ray Harrington). The first ports being targeted are:

• Brixham
• Eastbourne
• Hastings
• Mevagissey
• Newlyn
• Plymouth
• Poole
• Portsmouth
• Scarborough
• Whitby

Fishers that operate from these ports are being encouraged to book installations between 4 and 24 September 2023.

An additional 25 ports will be targeted from early October, including Shoreham-by-Sea, North Shields, Fleetwood, Isles of Scilly, Southwold and Weymouth. Engineers will then be available for bookings at a further 22 ports from late October, ensuring fishers across England are given the opportunity to choose, purchase and install I-VMS devices in advance of legislation coming into effect next year.

The focus of the roll-out plan is currently the over-6-metre fleet while MMO works with suppliers and industry to fully understand the practicalities of I-VMS for under-6-metre vessels and their inclusion in the roll-out.

I-VMS devices monitor inshore fishing activity and will, for the first time, provide a full picture of fishing vessel activity in English waters. I-VMS data will allow MMO to better represent fisheries in key activities such as quota negotiations and marine planning to improve sustainable and traceable fisheries management.

Tom McCormack, MMO Chief Executive said: “MMO is fully committed to delivering on our promise to support industry to be ready for I-VMS and ensure fishers are fully prepared before the Statutory Instrument is implemented in 2024.”

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/mmo/i-vms-england