UK mandates Remote monitoring for large pelagic fishing vessels

The UK government will require large pelagic fishing vessels to carry Remote Electronic Monitoring equipment starting in November 2028. Pelagic trawlers are large boats designed to catch shoaling fish, such as mackerel or herring, from open water.

Remote Electronic Monitoring uses on-board cameras, sensors, and GPS to provide a continuous record of fishing activity at sea. The system tracks where boats fish, what species they catch, and whether marine mammals, seabirds, or sharks are caught by accident.

This policy aims to create a level playing field for vessels that already use these systems and provide scientists with data to support sustainable fish stocks. The department for environment, food and rural affairs, Defra, shaped this policy based on a successful trial with a volunteer vessel. Fisheries Minister Stephen Morgan stated that the new requirement will help regulators identify and address harmful fishing practices more effectively.

The data will also assist scientists in building a more accurate picture of marine wildlife to improve how the government manages fisheries.