D&S IFCA sets out its position regarding Permit Holders ability to continue fishing within the District with vessels fitted with Succorfish vessel monitoring devices.
Yesterday afternoon (11th August 2025) D&S IFCA was informed by the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) that there was a risk that Succorfish would stop forwarding data from their IVMS devices to the UK VMS Hub.
Today it has been confirmed by the MMO IVMS Team and Succorfish that IVMS data to the UK VMS Hub has ceased. Following the introduction of the licence condition on May 12th, 2025, D&S IFCA ended the Service Level Agreement (SLA) it had with Succorfish that ensured IVMS data transmitted from the on board devices was forwarded to the UK VMS Hub.
Succorfish has decided not to reinstate the SLA with D&S IFCA at this time.
D&S IFCA’s Vessel Monitoring Requirements for Fishing Vessels
D&S IFCA has introduced permit conditions applicable to its District relating to vessel monitoring systems. This is limited to the following:
- Category One Mobile Fishing Permit Conditions: All mobile fishing vessels between 6.99 metres and 15 metres in overall length.
- Category One Diving Permit Conditions: All vessels removing scallop in defined areas within the months of July, August, and September.
The current permit conditions set out that owners of mobile gear vessels and relevant diving vessels below 15 metres in overall length operating under a Category One Mobile Fishing Permit or a Category One Diving Permit, issued by D&S IFCA, must ensure that the vessel monitoring device that is fitted to the vessel is fully functioning and is transmitting the required data. The Permit Conditions state that the transmitted data must be received by the UK VMS Hub.
D&S IFCA’s Position:
Under these circumstances where the transmitted data from a functioning device is being received by Succorfish but Succorfish is not forwarding the data to the UK VMS Hub, D&S IFCA can confirm the following:
Until further notice, owners of any mobile fishing vessel or the relevant diving vessels that are using Succorfish devices, that are fully functioning and transmitting data to Succorfish, can continue to fish in the D&S IFCA District.
If you are concerned and require more information, please contact:
Mat Mander, Chief Officer of D&S IFCA.
M.Mander@devonandsevernifca.gov.uk – 01803 854648 or 07515 050888