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The Report on the IOTC VMS Pilot Project provides a detailed roadmap for implementing a regional VMS Pilot System to strengthen fisheries governance and combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. It emphasizes the critical importance of enhanced monitoring, compliance, and regional cooperation to ensure the sustainable management of tuna and tuna-like species in the Indian Ocean.
The pilot project focuses on testing two reporting models—shared decentralized and partially centralized systems—while prioritizing real-time data collection, secure data governance, and system interoperability. The report underscores the need for alignment with international standards, robust regional cooperation, and stringent data security protocols supported by scalable, cloud-based solutions.
This initiative aims to enhance enforcement capabilities, streamline data sharing, and promote harmonized practices to support sustainable fisheries management. It highlights the importance of stakeholder engagement, with well-defined roles and responsibilities. The report also recommends structured operational procedures, targeted training programs, and mechanisms for continuous improvement to ensure the success of the pilot.
The outcomes of this project will establish key milestones and lay the foundation for developing a state-of-the-art Regional VMS System in the Indian Ocean.
