Vessel Monitoring System on the West Coast

A vessel monitoring system (VMS) consists of a NOAA Fisheries type-approved transmitter that automatically determines a vessel's position and transmits it to a communications service provider. The communications service provider receives the transmission and relays it to NOAA Fisheries. In the Pacific Coast groundfish fishery, the position data is primarily used to monitor fishing activity relative to closed areas.

Regulations and Resources

• VMS Regulations (50 CFR §660.14)
• NOAA Fisheries Type-Approved VMS Units 
• Compliance Guide for 2020 changes to the Vessel Monitoring System Program, updated May 2020

VMS Forms

• Pacific States Marine Fish Commission, VMS Reimbursement Request Form 
• Declaration Report Worksheet (December 2023)
• Vessel Monitoring Systems Installation and Activation Report for the Pacific Coast Groundfish Fishery