Vessel Monitoring System (VMS)

A vessel monitoring system (VMS) is a computer-based system that can monitor and analyse the position, course, and speed of vessels from shore.

The VMS is a requirement of the Fisheries Management (Vessel Monitoring Scheme) Regulations 2017.

The following fisheries already use a VMS:

• Miscellaneous Giant Crab
• Northern Zone Rock Lobster (for boats over 7.5 metres fishing for rock lobster and giant crab)
• Sardine
• Southern Zone Abalone

In 2025, VMS will also progressively roll out to the following fisheries:

• Blue Crab
• Gulf St Vincent Prawn
• Spencer Gulf Prawn
• West Coast Prawn
• Central Zone Abalone
• Northern Zone Rock Lobster (all boats)
• Western Zone Abalone
• Marine Scalefish

The Fisheries Management (Vessel Monitoring Scheme) Regulations 2017 will update accordingly.

Type of VMS

Vessels must use VMS units approved by PIRSA. PIRSA will supply small, solar-powered 'CLS Nemo' units to vessels coming online in 2025.

These solar-powered units can:

• keep a charge for several days without direct sunlight
• recharge using a USB cable (much like a mobile phone)
• be hardwired to keep a constant power supply, extending its lifespan.

Installation

Fishers can either:

• install the VMS unit themselves using supplied instructions
• have an approved and qualified electrician install the unit.

PIRSA will pay for the initial installation costs by an approved installer. We'll provide a list of approved installers during implementation.

If not hard-wiring the unit to the vessel, installation is simple and can be completed by fishers. Make sure to place units where they can receive adequate sunlight or reach a USB cable. Make sure to place units where they:

• have clear and uninterrupted view to the sky
• are 1.5m away from the closest radar antenna (and out of its beam).

The CLS Nemo emits radio frequencies equivalent to a mobile phone. A Radio Frequency Emission report is available from your Industry Executive Officer.

Tracking authorisation

After installation and unit activation, licence holders must complete a National VMS Vessel Tracking Authorisation Form.

We'll provide fishery-specific instructions during implementation.

Maintenance

The VMS units selected for use in South Australia are reliable and maintenance free. If a unit is faulty:

• fishers must notify PIRSA or AFMA
• PIRSA and AFMA will work with fishers to fix the problem, which may result in unit repair or replacement
• it's the fisher's responsibility to repair or replace a damaged or lost VMS unit (subject to warranty).

Vessels may be permitted to fish if their VMS is in need of repair or replacement, but must provide manual position reports.

Fishers must return VMS units to PIRSA following sale of a licence.

VMS operation

Marine Scalefish and Abalone fisheries

Due to the size, nature, and number of boats registered on licences, the Marine Scalefish and Abalone fisheries will operate under a modified vessel monitoring system.

For these fisheries, we'll issue a single VMS unit per licence and install a base mounting plate on each registered boat. Fishers must attach the VMS unit to the base plate on a registered boat when fishing commercially.

Other fisheries

All other fisheries will operate under traditional VMS arrangements where VMS units are required to operate at all times.

Where a vessel isn't being used for any purpose, fishers can apply for a temporary switch-off. If approved, the VMS can be deactivated.

Use of data and confidentiality

PIRSA treats and controls VMS data with the highest level of data security. VMS data is not subject to Freedom of Information searches and we can only release data to law-enforcement agencies investigating suspected offences. See Section 124 of the Fisheries Management Act 2007 for more information.

PIRSA will only use data held from the VMS for compliance and safety at sea. By industry agreement, we can use deidentified data for fisheries management or biosecurity purposes.

Fishers, at their own expense, can access their own tracking data with a subscription to 3rd-party chart or mapping software.