Global implementation of digital fishing vessel monitoring

Governments are increasingly implementing digital monitoring systems for fishing vessels to enhance resource management and maritime safety. In Norway, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries has mandated that all fishing vessels, including those under 8 meters, install closed and encrypted Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) by April 1, 2027. Minister Marianne Sivertsen Næss described the system as a “vital tool for fishery management and control.”

This move toward digital surveillance has triggered broader international debate. In Greece, small-scale fishers are adapting to new European Union regulations involving satellite tracking and electronic catch logs, though some exemptions may apply until 2029. While authorities argue these tools curb illegal fishing, fishers have expressed concerns regarding operational costs and technical errors during harsh weather. In the United States, legal challenges have emerged in Maine, where a fisherman is contesting mandatory GPS installation on the grounds that continuous tracking constitutes an “unreasonable search.”