Vessel monitoring systems (VMS) have greatly increased the
potential efficiency of monitoring control and surveillance of fishing vessels
(MCS). In the last few years several countries have introduced VMS which make it
possible to monitor the activities of fishing vessels and enable such vessels to
report on catches to the fisheries management authority. This document
summarizes the state of the art of VMS and gives guidance to fisheries
administrators considering implementing VMS in their fisheries management
systems and to all other personnel involved in fisheries MCS. VMS is a
particularly effective tool for some developing countries that lack the
financial and physical resources to support an effective conventional MCS
capability. The publication discusses the cost of setting up and operating a
national VMS system. For those countries that already have conventional MCS
measures, VMS will make them more effective and possibly less costly. Attention
is drawn to the need for recommendations on common data exchange formats and
protocols which may eventually be adopted as international standards in VMS and
in catch reporting. The future role of VMS in the implementation of the United
Nations fish stocks agreement, the FAO Compliance Agreement and the FAO Code of
Conduct for Responsible Fisheries is also addressed.
