Vessel monitoring system (VMS)

The EU system for fisheries controls

The vessel monitoring system (VMS) is a satellite-based monitoring system which at regular intervals provides data to the fisheries authorities on the location, course and speed of vessels.

VMS is nowadays a standard tool of fisheries monitoring and control worldwide, but it was the EU which led the way, becoming the first part of the world to introduce compulsory VMS tracking for all the larger boats in its fleet. The EU legislation requires that all coastal EU countries should set up systems that are compatible with each other, so that countries can share data and the Commission can monitor that the rules are respected. EU funding is available for Member States to acquire state-of-the-art equipment and to train their people to use it.

The VMS systems may involve the processing of personal data. For more information on such processing and the rights of data subjects see the specific privacy statement enclosed at the bottom of this page.

New control technologies become crucial nowadays to ensure effective monitoring and control of fishing fleets and streamlined management of qualitative and reliable fisheries data.

Legislation and official documents

Corrigendum to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 404/2011 of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy

COMMISSION IMPLEMENTING REGULATION (EU) No 404/2011
of 8 April 2011 laying down detailed rules for the implementation of Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the Common Fisheries Policy

Council Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009 of 20 November 2009 establishing a Community control system for ensuring compliance with the rules of the common fisheries policy, amending Regulations (EC) No 847/96, (EC) No 2371/2002, (EC) No 811/2004, (EC) No 768/2005, (EC) No 2115/2005, (EC) No 2166/2005, (EC) No 388/2006, (EC) No 509/2007, (EC) No 676/2007, (EC) No 1098/2007, (EC) No 1300/2008, (EC) No 1342/2008 and repealing Regulations (EEC) No 2847/93, (EC) No 1627/94 and (EC) No 1966/2006

Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) - Data exchange - Specific privacy statement

Electronic Recording and Reporting System (ERS) - Data exchange - Specific privacy statement

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17/12/2018 - WCPFC 2019: EU proposal to avoid entanglement by FADs adopted

Last week’s annual meeting of the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) adopted an important and binding measure to reduce the risk of entanglement from FADs by 2020. FADs, or “fish aggregating devices”, are floating fishing gear mainly used for tuna fishing. However, they also attract other species, including various kinds of pelagic shark. The new measure to avoid such by-catches was adopted at the proposal of the European Union.

14/12/2018 to 08/03/2019

- Public consultation on an evaluation of the eel regulation

This public consultation is part of the evaluation of the eel regulation.

14/12/2018 - AGRIFISH Council: Ministers to decide on fishing catch limits for 2019

EU Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella will present the Commission's proposals for 2019 fishing opportunities for the Atlantic, North Sea and Black Sea at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 17-18 December in Brussels.