Proposed rule changes to the
Fisheries Rules 2019 came into effect on 8 January 2024 following consultation with affected
commercial fishing bodies.
The amendments apply to commercial fishing and include:
- Enabling Department to receive
vessel monitoring system (VMS) data using mobile networks, resulting in better
management of VMS airtime costs.
- Improving administration of the NRE
Tas VMS program by enabling it to require VMS to be used on vessels by issuing
a Published Notice.
- Enabling commercial fishing supervisors to seek authorisation from a Fisheries Officer to continue fishing, subject to terms and conditions, if their approved VMS unit stops working while undertaking a fishing trip.
- Enabling the Department to provide approval for the supervisor to switch off the approved VMS under a broader range of circumstances.
Full details can be found below.
Consultation documents
VMS Rules Amendments - Report on Public Consultation - October 2023
VMS Rules Amendments - Fact Sheet
More information
Fisheries Rules 2019 - Current rules
Vessel Monitoring Systems in Tasmanian fisheries