Vessel Monitoring Systems

Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS)

A vessel monitoring system (VMS) is an electronic system which tracks and monitors commercial fishing vessel movement. VMS is monitored by the Department’s Fisheries Officers and Marine Police for fisheries compliance purposes.

VMS is required to be fitted to Tasmanian rock lobster, giant crab, scallop and abalone mother boat vessels.

How does VMS work?

Vessels which are required to have VMS are fitted with an approved automatic location communicator (ALC). The ALC continuously transmits the vessel’s position, course and speed to authorised fisheries officers using secure tracking software.

It’s important to note that VMS is not designed to be a safety system and is not monitored for this purpose by NRE Tas or any maritime safety agency.

  • VMS - Temporary Switch Off Form
    NRE Tas may give approval to the Supervisor of a fishing licence (vessel) to not operate an Automatic Location Communicator for a specified period of time while the vessel is at an approved location.
  • VMS Rule Changes
    Amendments are proposed to the vessel monitoring system rules in the Fisheries Rules 2019.

Contact

Fisheries Compliance and Licensing Branch
Level 1, 134 Macquarie Street
GPO Box 44
HOBART TAS 7001
Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550
Email: fisheries.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au

Hotline

Fishwatch Report illegal fishing

0427 655 557

What to report? arrow button

Contact us

Recreational Fishing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

Hobart TAS 7000

Phone: (03) 6165 3233, 1300 720 647

Email: fishing.enquiries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: commercial.fisheries@nre.tas.gov.au

Commercial Fisheries Licensing

Level 3, 134 Macquarie St

GPO Box 44

Phone: (03) 6165 3000, 1300 368 550

Email: fishing.licensing@nre.tas.gov.au