Fisheries monitored by VMS

• All commercial fisheries

Number of vessels monitored by VMS

• Total: 456 (each vessel participates in only one fishery)


• Alfonsino: 31
• Swordfish: 12
• Anchoveta: 113
• Cod: 22
• Sea bream: 47
• Squid: 7
• Shrimp: 25
• Cuttlefish (Jibia): 155
• Mackerel (Jurel): 143
• Prawns: 26
• Hake (merluza): 57
• Ray: 39
• Sardine: 65

Vessel size range (length in metres)

• Swordfish: 13 – 34.8
• Alfonsino: 28.3 – 66
• Anchoveta: 21.95 – 72.87
• Cod: 13 – 59
• Sea bream: 17.2 – 58.6
• Squid: 37.85 – 53.3
• Shrimp: 14.9 – 55.7
• Cuttlefish (Jibia): 14.79 – 66
• Mackerel (Jurel): 21.95 – 72.87
• Prawn: 14.9 – 55.7
• Hake (merluza): 14.9 – 58.6
• Ray: 14.79 – 55.7
• Sardine: 21.95 – 65.5

Purpose of VMS monitoring

• Protection of fishery resources by constantly verifying that vessels operate in authorized areas, and also monitoring of port entry and exit.

Legal framework

• VMS obligations and sanctions are found in the Laws and Regulations of the Republic: Supreme Decree No. 430 (1991, as amended), Law No. 19.521, Supreme Decree No. 123 (2004).

Funding strategy

• Communications between vessel and ground station are funded by the vessel owners.
• Communications between the ground station and the fishery monitoring centres are funded by the Chilean government.
• The Chilean government funds operations of the fishery monitoring centres. Personnel include fishery managers and computer scientists.

Additional integrated programmes

• The VMS is also used by the Chilean Navy in the verification of exit and entry to port, vessel location, and for aids to navigation.
• The VMS information is also used in the management of resources, e.g. area closures.
• The system is also used to monitor all foreign vessels that wish to enter Chilean ports – this monitoring of foreign fishing vessels occurs both inside and outside the Chilean EEZ.

Anticipated growth

• To almost 500 vessels in the next five years. The VMS regulations are expected to be applied to all fishing vessels over 14 m in length.

Contacts

Alejandro Covarrubias, Jefe Departamento de Fiscalización Pesquera
Servicio Nacional de Pesca
Av. Victoria 2832
Valparaíso
Chile
Telephone: (+56) 32 819301
Fax: (+56) 32 819300

Web site: http://www.sernapesca.cl