Photo by Diego Romeo

The Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has confirmed it is resuming the roll-out of its Inshore Vessel Monitoring System (I-VMS) programme, having reached an agreement with CLS UK Ltd, formerly known as Fulcrum Maritime Systems Ltd, to supply type-approved tracking devices to England’s entire under-12 metre fishing fleet. Fishermen affected by the collapse of data transmissions from Succorfish SC2 devices will receive replacement CLS UK Ltd units at no additional cost.

The announcement resolves, at least in part, a period of prolonged disruption that has left a significant portion of the inshore fleet without functioning compliance data links since mid-2025.

A troubled history

The I-VMS programme has been beset by problems since its early stages. Following the introduction of a licence condition requiring all under-12 metre English fishing vessels to carry type-approved tracking devices, four devices were initially approved. In May 2023, however, the MMO paused the roll-out after independent testing found that two of the four, the Maritime Systems MS44 and the Satlink Nano, failed to meet the original type approval specifications. Their type approval was revoked, leaving fishermen with a choice of only two devices: the Fulcrum Nemo and the Succorfish SC2.

The field was then narrowed still further. In August 2025, Succorfish, supplier of the SC2, stopped forwarding I-VMS data from its servers to the UK VMS Hub, citing an unresolved contractual dispute. The company stated that it had been bearing the cost of forwarding data to the MMO’s systems without any formal service agreement in place, and that “this arrangement is not sustainable.” The MMO said it was “disappointed Succorfish has taken this course of action”, noting that onward transmission to the VMS Hub was “a fundamental and integral part of this type approval.” Talks to resolve the impasse ultimately broke down entirely.

By January 2026, the MMO confirmed that SC2 devices had not transmitted positional data to the UK VMS Hub for six months, leaving regulators without location data from the affected vessels. The only type-approved device still transmitting at that point was the Nemo, supplied by CLS UK (then still trading as Fulcrum Maritime Systems Ltd). As a stopgap, Devon and Severn IFCA introduced temporary Rewire devices for fishermen in its district, though the MMO was clear these were not type-approved and did not meet I-VMS licence conditions.

The new arrangement

The agreement with CLS UK Ltd now consolidates the entire type-approved supply under a single provider and provides a defined pathway to completing the roll-out ahead of mandatory legislation. The MMO has said it will write to affected fishermen in the coming weeks with details of the replacement process and has urged vessel owners not to remove or switch off any existing devices in the meantime.

Peter Clark, Director of Operations at the MMO, said the regulator was clear about what I-VMS data would deliver for the sector. “Efficient decision-making for enhanced fisheries management, spatial planning, improved compliance monitoring, and sustainable practice is central to our ambitions for the sector. I-VMS data will play a valuable role in achieving those ambitions.”

He acknowledged the disruption that fishermen had endured. “We are grateful for the patience and professionalism shown by the fleet, and your continued cooperation is vital over the coming months as we prepare for the I-VMS legislation.” On compliance, he was explicit that the MMO had no intention of using the transition period to bear down on the fleet. “Our compliance and enforcement approach will remain measured and pragmatic. Our priority is to ensure fishermen can continue to operate safely and legally, without unnecessary burden or confusion.”

What comes next

The new agreement comes ahead of a Statutory Instrument that will make I-VMS mandatory for all under-12 metre vessels operating in English waters, though no date for that legislation has yet been confirmed. The MMO has previously stated that the statutory instrument will only come into force once the roll-out has been fully completed.

Given the programme’s long history of technical failures, contested supplier relationships and industry frustration, the Fishing Daily noted that questions remain over how smoothly the final implementation phase will proceed – particularly with a now-singular supply arrangement and a fleet that has been closely scrutinising the programme throughout.

Fishermen with questions can contact the I-VMS team at ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk or by telephone on 01900 508618, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.