For More Information
- VMS Questions? Call (800) 758-4833
- Atlantic HMS VMS Compliance Guide (revised November 2013)
- VMS - NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement
Vessel Monitoring Systems
Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) are used to facilitate enforcement of time/area and fishery closures. Certain owners or operators of a commercial vessels that are permitted, or required to be permitted, to fish for Atlantic HMS are required to install a NOAA Fisheries-approved enhanced mobile transmitting unit (E-MTU) VMS on board the vessel and operate the VMS unit under the circumstances below:
- Whenever the vessel has pelagic longline gear on board
- Whenever a vessel issued a directed shark limited access permit (LAP), has bottom longline gear on board, is located between 33°00′ N. latitude and 36°30′ N. latitude, and the Mid-Atlantic shark closed area is closed as specified in § 635.21(d)(1), or
- Whenever a vessel issued a directed shark LAP has gillnet gear on board from November 15-April 15.
Explore the links below for additional information and news about VMS.
VMS Questions Call 1-800-758-4833
NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement VMS Webpage
Forms
- Vessel Monitoring Systems Certification Statement for Atlantic HMS Fisheries
- Vessel Monitoring Systems Reimbursement Form
News and Updates
2014
| 12/24/2014 | Final Rule for Requirements Related to Approved Vessel Monitoring Systems NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement VMS Webpage |
2013
| 11/14/2013 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a Final Rule to Modify Vessel Monitoring System Requirements in Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice |
| 08/29/2013 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a Proposed Rule to Modify Vessel Monitoring System Requirements in Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice |
2012
| 12/13/2012 | NOAA Fisheries Reminds Fishermen of New VMS Requirements in Atlantic HMS Fisheries Effective January 1, 2013 Listserv Notice |
| 10/11/2012 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a New Effective Date for Vessel Monitoring System Requirements for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice Compliance Guide |
| 02/29/2012 | NOAA Fisheries Announces its Intent to Delay Implementation of New Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) Requirements for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Listserv Notice |
| 02/23/2012 | NOAA Fisheries Announces Alternate Procedures to Address Reporting Problems with VMS Units in Atlantic HMS Fisheries Listserv Notice |
2011
| 12/02/2011 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a Final Rule to Require New Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Units and Establish Additional Requirements in Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice Approved Units Federal Register notice Final Regulatory Impact Review and Regulatory Flexibility Analysis |
| 07/01/2011 | NOAA Fisheries Announces Additional Public Hearings for a Proposed Rule to Update Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Requirements in Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Fisheries Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice Public Hearing Presentation |
| 06/21/2011 | NOAA Fisheries Announces a Proposed Rule to Update Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Requirements in Atlantic HMS Fisheries Federal Register Notice | Listserv Notice Initial Regulatory Flexibility Analysis and Regulatory Impact Review |
2007
| 02/27/2007 | NOAA Fisheries Announces New VMS Type Approval for HMS Fisheries and Other Regional Programs Federal Register Notice |
2004
| 08/17/2004 | Final Rule - Vessel Monitoring Requirement for Atlantic Shark Fisheries Federal Register Notice |
| 04/15/2004 | VMS Type Approval Notice for All HMS Fisheries Federal Register Notice |
2003
| 06/25/2003 | Final Rule - Vessel Monitoring System Required for Pelagic Longline Vessels Effective September 1, 2003 Federal Register Notice |
| 03/19/2003 | OMB VMS Paperwork Reduction Act Clearance Request Federal Register Notice |
| 03/11/2003 | VMS Type Approval Notice Federal Register Notice |
2001
| 08/24/2001 | Final VMS Remand Document |
