VMS in 2026 : From Visibility to Enforcement
Far from being obsolete, the VMS (Vessel Monitoring System) is paradoxically experiencing a second youth in 2026, though its role has shifted radically. It no longer seeks to compete with AIS on the grounds of "visibility" ; instead, it has become the tool of constraint and evidence.
In the mid-2010s, VMS was often described as a "aging" or "outdated" technology compared to the explosion of satellite AIS and radar imaging (SAR). However, VMS is not "old-fashioned" : it is specialized. One could compare VMS to a military encrypted radio network, while AIS would be the public 5G network. One is rustic but robust, the other modern but vulnerable.
Since January 10, 2026, new European Union rules (Control Regulation 2025/2196) have buried the idea of abandoning VMS :
- Generalization : VMS requirements now extend to all EU fishing vessels, including the smallest ones (previously exempt under 12m).
- Increased Frequency : In sensitive or protected areas, VMS transmission has moved from one point every 2 hours to one point every 30 minutes.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-con...
1. "Anti-Tampering" : Inviolability as an Argument
Unlike AIS, which a captain might turn off "by mistake" or for security reasons (piracy), VMS is :
- Sealed : Any signal interruption triggers an immediate alert to the FMC (Fisheries Monitoring Center).
- Legal Evidence : In European law, especially since the 2025 reform, the system relies on a body of digital evidence.
Regulation 2025/2196 strengthens the legal value of all transmitted electronic data. The following are now admissible :
- ERS data (Electronic Logbooks) : Although filled out by the captain, they involve criminal liability.
- AIS data : While initially intended for safety, they are increasingly used as complementary evidence to cross-reference VMS positions.
- CCTV (Video Surveillance) : For vessels over 15 meters posing a risk of non-compliance with the landing obligation, video recordings now serve as proof of illegal discards.
2. Specialization via "VMS-IoT"
The "old-fashioned" VMS is becoming an IoT (Internet of Things) hub. It no longer just sends a position ; it is now coupled with :
- ERS (Electronic Reporting System) : Electronic logbooks certifying catches in real-time.
- Gear Sensors : Sensors on winches that confirm via VMS that the vessel is actually fishing (and not just in transit).
VMS is a matter of sovereignty. It is the tool used by States for fish stock management and maritime border enforcement. VMS data is confidential and must never be sold.
3. Implementation Timeline and Deadlines
The new European regulations on fisheries control (Regulation (EU) 2023/2842 and its implementing regulation (UE) 2025/2196) entered a critical application phase in early 2026.
a) RECFISHING : Mandatory registration and daily catch reporting via the RecFishing app for sensitive recreational species (Bass, Pollack, Bluefin Tuna, Red Seabream). Mandatory digitization of traceability data (though implementation remains difficult due to a lack of a harmonized framework).
b) Catch System : Mandatory digital catch certification for all fishery product imports into the EU via the TRACES.NT platform.
c) Weighing at landing : New harmonized and mandatory procedures
Weighing at landing vs weighing at sea.
- Shore-side weighing : Requires infrastructure and available staff, which can lead to congestion and delays for fresh fish.
- At-sea weighing : Requires certified "motion compensated" equipment to account for vessel movement. Key manufacturers include MAREL, SCANVAEG, and MARELEC.
4. A European "Patchwork"
While the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) is unique, its application remains fragmented. In 2026, French fishermen are frustrated by a perceived "double standard". While France published a strict calendar in February 2026 for VMS on vessels under 12m, other countries are lagging behind.
The entry into force and application dates for the regulation’s different provisions are detailed in the final article (Article 8), which states :
"Article 5, point (1), shall apply from 10 January 2028, and point (2) shall apply from 10 July 2024."
Three major divides in 2026 :
- 1. Sanction Disparity : Countries like France, Germany, and Denmark treat VMS infractions as criminal offenses with massive fines. In contrast, countries like Italy or Greece often treat them as simple administrative fines that can be contested for years.
- 2. The REM Refusal : Spain and Portugal are lobbying heavily to delay mandatory cameras. Meanwhile, the Netherlands has already industrialized these systems, leading to a sense of injustice among monitored crews.
- 3. Geopolitical Pressure : In March 2026, the EU decided to raise its Mackerel quotas by 48%—against scientific advice—because Norway and the UK were already overexploiting the stock. This "if they don’t respect it, why should we ?" reasoning weakens the credibility of the entire VMS/CFP control system.
