MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Argentina introduces new monitoring system

Under new regulations, large capacity fishing vessels operating in Argentine waters must use a new fishing vessel monitoring system (VMS) instead of the Satellite Fisheries Monitoring (Monpesat) system, which ceased operating early last year.

Fishing vessels must be fitted with a transmitter carrying a built-in GPS receiver following the publication of the new regulations (Resolution 2/2003 dated 31 July) in the Argentine Official Bulletin on 5 August. But, for the time being, the regulations do not apply to artisanal vessels.

Vessel owners must hire the satellite communication service that will allow them to transmit their exact location, via the Internet, to national authorities - the SSPyA, Coast Guard (PNA), the Navy, the National Institute for Fisheries Research and Development (Inidep) - or local authorities in the coastal provinces.

The information relayed must identify the equipment and the fishing vessel name and registration details; the date and time (GMT); the vessel's position by latitude and longitude; and its direction and speed. The data must be available at any time and only the PNA or SSPyA will be authorised to change the frequency of the equipment and make specific enquiries.

The main difference between this and the previous system is that the Internet will be used as the communication channel for the data to be relayed from the fishing vessels to the authorities. The Fisheries Department (SSPyA) regulations allow any company to provide the service as long as it meets the government's requirements, which are stipulated in the regulations.

SSPyA will set up a Register of Service Providers who will provide real time, or almost real time, access to information on the exact location of vessels. Service providers will have to satisfy government regulations on data integrity and security. Failure to maintain the required standards may lead to a company being removed from the register.

Vessel owners will be responsible for the regular and proper functioning of the system and could face legal sanctions - as well as being ordered back into port - if there is any interruption in the signal in two or more consecutive reports. Copies of contracts between service providers and vessel owners will also be filed in a Register of Contracts. (FIS/MP).-