Sustainable fisheries management depends on reliable, real-time information about where fishing vessels operate, how long they stay at sea, and whether they comply with spatial and regulatory restrictions. The technology at the core of this effort is the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).
But how does a vessel monitoring system work in the context of fishing vessels? What mechanisms ensure secure and verified location data across national and international waters?
This article outlines the complete operation of VMS in fisheries monitoring—from vessel-mounted equipment to shore-side control centers. It also explains how advanced platforms like Trackwell VMS transform raw location data into actionable tools for compliance, resource protection, and policy enforcement.
A Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is a satellite-based solution used by fisheries authorities to monitor the movements of fishing vessels operating within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) or on the high seas. Unlike public tracking systems such as AIS, VMS transmits encrypted, private, and regulated data to designated government monitoring centers.
Its core functions in fisheries include:
Enforcing fishing area restrictions and closures
Supporting quota compliance and licensing conditions
Detecting illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
Ensuring transparency and traceability in fishery operations
Understanding how a vessel monitoring system works for fishing vessels requires a look at its three main elements:
Each licensed fishing vessel is fitted with a certified VMS terminal, which:
Uses a GPS receiver to record the vessel’s position, course, and speed.
Encrypts and packages this data at regular intervals (e.g., every hour or more frequently).
Transmits the data via satellite to the authorized Fisheries Monitoring Center (FMC).
Is built to regulatory standards, often with tamper-detection and type-approval requirements mandated by national or regional authorities.
The VMS unit communicates with satellite networks—typically providers such as Inmarsat or Iridium—to ensure coverage beyond coastal waters. The process includes:
Sending encrypted data packets from the vessel to an orbiting satellite.
The satellite relays the signal to a ground station (Land Earth Station – LES).
The data is then securely forwarded to the fisheries authority’s control center.
Once data reaches the FMC, it is processed by secure, purpose-built software. The platform used must support:
Secure Data Reception and Decryption
Real-Time Vessel Tracking and Historical Replay
Zone Violation Alerts and Automated Compliance Checks
Integration with Licensing Systems and Electronic Reporting (e.g., e-logbooks)
Trackwell FiMS Vessel Monitoring System is designed to meet these specific needs—offering full compatibility with a wide range of hardware and satellite protocols while enabling fisheries authorities to perform advanced monitoring and enforcement tasks within a unified system.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how VMS data moves through the system:
Data Collection: The onboard unit records PCS data using GPS.
Encryption and Packaging: The VMS formats the data with vessel ID and timestamp.
Satellite Transmission: The packet is sent to a satellite communication provider.
Ground Relay: The signal is relayed from the satellite to a ground station.
Secure Delivery: The packet is forwarded to the Fisheries Monitoring Center.
Processing and Visualization: The software interface decrypts, validates, and visualizes the data for enforcement teams and analysts.
The data gathered by VMS plays a vital role in modern fisheries governance. Common applications include:
Ensures that vessels respect marine protected areas, seasonal closures, and other spatial regulations.
Tracks vessel activity and time at sea to support quota management, gear restrictions, and other effort-control measures.
Cross-references VMS data with licensing conditions, allowing authorities to detect violations or anomalies.
Identifies unauthorized vessels or suspicious activity patterns, especially in remote or contested waters.
Understanding how a vessel monitoring system works is essential—but implementing a reliable, flexible solution is what enables real impact in fisheries monitoring.
Trackwell FiMS Vessel Monitoring System is specifically designed for fisheries authorities seeking a dependable, scalable solution for vessel tracking, compliance monitoring, and operational oversight. Its advantages include:
Supports a wide range of type-approved VMS transponders and satellite providers, allowing seamless integration with national and regional systems.
Trackwell FiMS unites VMS data with other fisheries management modules, including electronic logbooks (e-Logs), licensing, and regulatory engines.
Detects entry into restricted zones, validates fishing behavior against licensing conditions, and generates alerts and reports for enforcement personnel.
Trusted by fisheries authorities globally, Trackwell FiMS meets national and international standards, including regional fisheries management organization (RFMO) requirements.
The question of how a vessel monitoring system works is central to effective fisheries management. Through certified onboard devices, satellite communication, and advanced monitoring software, VMS delivers secure, near real-time data on vessel movements—enabling compliance, sustainability, and enforcement at scale.
Trackwell FIMS suite enhances this capability with a proven, compatible platform built specifically for fisheries authorities—supporting operational control, regulatory compliance, and long-term resource protection.
Powerful insights. Sustainable results.
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Trackwell FiMS is a state of the art software that provides powerful near real-time insights to sustainably manage and control fisheries activities.
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FiMS is used by fisheries authorities, coastguards, and navies for surveillance, search and rescue, resource management, and fisheries control.
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