I-VMS licence condition requirements for under-12 metre fishing vessels registered in England
Guidance explaining operational requirements for Inshore Vessel Monitoring Systems (I-VMS) under the fishing licence condition.
Important update – 25 March 2025
A new licence condition for I-VMS comes into force on 12 May 2025. This is the next stage of MMO’s preparations to support English fishers ahead of statutory legislation, expected to be laid by government later this year.
This page provides guidance on the requirements of the licence conditions and your obligations.
General information about I-VMS can be found on the I-VMS guidance page.
Fishing vessel licence conditions
New licence condition requirements come into force on 12 May 2025.
The full requirements were issued through a variation notice to all registered commercial fishing vessel licence holders on 28 March 2025. They state that that:
- All English under-12 metre vessels registered with a commercial fishing vessel licence must have a functional MMO type-approved I-VMS device when undertaking a trip to sea.
- That the device is switched on and transmitting data to be received by the UK VMS Hub
- The device is not manually overridden or tampered with to prevent the transmission of data.
Details on type-approved devices and how to purchase one can be found on the I-VMS guidance page.
Operational guidance
- The type-approved I-VMS device must be operational whenever the vessel goes to sea.
- If the device is battery or solar powered, you must ensure it is charged and has sufficient power for the duration of the trip to sea.
- Check the status of your device - you can do this by using a mobile app or web portal provided by your device supplier – see ‘checking your device and data’ section below.
- Any issues should be reported directly to the supplier if they cannot be resolved using the troubleshooting guides provided to you.
- MMO will inform fishers if issues with the device are detected. It is the fishers responsibility to act and contact their i-VMS device supplier.
Checking your device and data
I-VMS devices send positional data (latitude, longitude, speed, and course) and report device ID, date, time changes in events such as battery status and data stored.
Data will transmit at regular intervals via GPRS which is a mobile phone signal to reduce transmission costs. If the I-VMS device is in an area that has no GPRS coverage, then the device will retain the generated data and transmit it all once a connection has been restored. This complies with the requirements of the licence condition.
It is your responsibility to conduct regular checks to ensure the continuing operational requirements of your I-VMS device(s). These should form part of a regular routine and take place before any trip to sea.
I-VMS device suppliers have provided either a mobile app or a web portal for you to track your own I-VMS data. As well as checking the status of your device, you will also be able to use this data to:
- View and evidence fishing patterns and activities at sea.
- Refine your efforts and business plans
- Use it as evidence in any compliance or conflict resolution.
Contact your supplier for support with login access and user guidance.
Data transmitted once the licence condition comes into effect will be accessible to all UK Fisheries Administrations and can be used to monitor compliance and inform evidence-based decision-making for fisheries management.
Compliance and enforcement of I-VMS
Once the licence condition is effect, we will take a measured approach to enforcement and work with industry and suppliers to address issues.
If you notice that your I-VMS device is not operating correctly, it is your responsibility to contact your device supplier immediately and work with them to resolve it. If you have any concerns after contacting your supplier, you can also contact us by emailing ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk with details of the issue and the vessel it relates to.
If MMO detects any issues with your device, we will contact you and provide appropriate guidance at that time.
Any enforcement action will be conducted in line with the MMO Compliance and Enforcement Strategy.
Device troubleshooting
Each supplier has provided a user manual to help identify issues using light indicators (LEDs). As a general guide:
- Fulcrum NEMO: LEDs indicate power, faults, and battery levels.
- Succorfish SC2: LEDs show power status and possible faults.
If the device fails, you must contact the supplier immediately.
If you have any concerns after contacting your supplier, you can also contact us by emailing ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk with details of the issue and the vessel it relates to.
Buying, selling and ownership changes
- Buying a device
Fishers must choose a supplier, order the device and arrange installation. Devices must be installed and operational for any trip to sea once the licence condition is in effect. Guidance on the steps to take can be found on the I-VMS guidance page.
Note: As of 31 December 2023, grant funding is no longer available to help with these costs.
- Buying or selling a vessel:
You must notify the MMO fishing vessel licensing team if you are buying or selling a vessel. You should also contact the I-VMS team and your device supplier to discuss your options regarding devices.
Sellers with I-VMS devices funded through an EMFF grant that has been installed for less than three years, must also inform the MMO grants team.
- New vessels:
All new vessels must be registered with the UK Ship Register and obtain a fishing vessel licence before installing an I-VMS device.
Vessel must have an operational I-VMS device prior to going to sea from 12 May 2025. Guidance on the steps to take to purchase and prepare for the licence condition can be found on the I-VMS guidance page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Please read our updated FAQs for further information.
Contact us
Our dedicated helpline is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, by calling 01900 508618, or you can email our I-VMS Engagement and Support team at ivms@marinemanagement.org.uk.