Electronic and Vessel Monitoring Systems Assistance Program

Overview

The Electronic and Vessel Monitoring Systems Assistance Program (the program) is the final component of the Fisheries Assistance and User Engagement Package announced by the Australian Government on 1 July 2018.  The program is a single grant opportunity for fisheries management agencies that have the capability and capacity to assist the Director of National Parks in enhancing the use of e-monitoring and vessel monitoring systems (VMS) on commercial fishing vessels transiting or operating in Australian Marine Parks (AMPs).  The program will build on existing systems and processes such as the National Vessel Monitoring Systems program managed by the Australian Fisheries Management Authority. The intended outcomes of the program are to: improve Parks Australia’s knowledge of commercial fishing operations within AMPs reduce compliance risk from commercial fisheries which operate in or transit through AMPs reduce costs to the commercial fishing industry in preparing for possible mandatory VMS whilst operating in or transiting through AMPs by 2024  contribute to increasing the social licence for fishers within AMPs based on greater sustainability increase levels of voluntary compliance and self-regulation by commercial fishers reduce/prevent litigation costs to fishers and government arising from inadvertent breaches of compliance protect and conserve the natural values of AMPs. For more information about AMPs visit Australian Marine Parks