Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) help the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) to monitor vessel position, course and speed of all of our 300+ Commonwealth fishing vessels. This helps to ensure that operators are complying with the rules and regulations for fishing in Australian waters.
All Commonwealth fishing concession holders are required to have a VMS unit fitted and operating at all times. If data is not being received from a boat an order may be issued for it to stop fishing and return to port.
VMS units must be correctly installed, configured and maintained by certified marine technicians. It is the fishing operator’s responsibility to regularly check and maintain their VMS units to ensure they remain fully operational.
Operators will be contacted by AFMA if their VMS unit stops functioning, however it is the concession holder’s responsibility to ensure they fit, maintain and have an operational VMS unit.
Those seeking approval to switch off their unit, for example if the boat is undergoing extended maintenance or repair or the boat won’t be fishing for an extended period can apply for a Temporary Switch Off (TSO) approval from AFMA.
Make sure you:
- seek approval from AFMA before switching off a VMS
- check with AFMA if you have any concerns with your VMS unit before you go fishing
- include your VMS unit in routine maintenance programs
You must not:
- switch off your unit for any reason without prior approval from AFMA
- leave port if your VMS is not working.
More information on your VMS requirements and responsibilities, including a list of approved VMS units is available at afma.gov.au.