CCAMLR implements a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) to monitor the location and activities of fishing vessels that operate inside the Convention Area.

 VMS data uses

Fishing vessels provide VMS data to in relation to entry and exit from the Convention Area and movement between subareas and divisions within the Convention Area. VMS data is also utilised for surveillance activities undertaken by Members inside the Convention Area and for the verification of information provided through the Catch Documentation Scheme (CDS).

All vessels authorised by Members to fish in the Convention Area are required to report VMS data to their Flag State which must then forward this data to the CCAMLR Secretariat. Many vessels also report VMS data directly to the CCAMLR Secretariat in near real-time.

 VMS data collection

Vessels operating inside the Convention Area must have a vessel monitoring device reporting at least every four hours to its Flag State. For vessels operating in new and exploratory fisheries in the Convention Area, VMS data must be provided to the CCAMLR Secretariat every four hours. For all other fisheries, VMS data must be sent to the CCAMLR Secretariat within 10 days of the vessel departing the Convention Area.