At AFMA, we consider Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) to be an important way to monitor fishing across the Commonwealth fleet. The VMS data collected ends up being a vital component in our management of Australia’s fisheries. So as a part of our annual compliance program, we are again focussing our attention on VMS compliance.
We have adopted the simple motto “Fail to Report, End up in Port”. Peter Venslovas, General Manager Fisheries Operations, said this clearly highlights the ramifications to fishing operators of failing to maintain an operational VMS unit.
“We continue to have concerns about the level of complacency in some pockets of the industry with respect to their VMS compliance. As a result we have needed to take a harder line with operators.”
“Non-compliant operators, be they complacent or otherwise, run the risk of having their boats ordered back to port” he said.
Operators will soon be receiving information brochures and handy stickers highlighting their VMS obligations and key contact information.
For more information, please contact Tod Spencer Senior Manager National Compliance Strategy on 02 6225 5312 or tod.spencer@afma.gov.au.
Stay tuned! In the next issue, we’ll take a look at what substitution is and how AFMA is tackling this issue.