Cape Verde Mandates Satellite Tracking for Fishing Vessels
In a major push to eliminate illegal fishing and modernize its maritime surveillance, the government of Cape Verde has officially mandated satellite monitoring for all industrial and semi-industrial fishing vessels. The new decree-law, which came into effect today, requires both national and foreign vessels to be tracked in real-time while operating in the archipelago’s waters.
Real-Time Tracking to Protect Marine Resources
The newly established Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) allows authorities to track a ship’s geographical position, speed, direction, and time automatically. This data will be transmitted to a newly created VMS Control Center, which is tasked with analyzing fleet movements and issuing alerts the moment an irregularity is detected.
According to the Official Bulletin, all covered vessels must install certified Continuous Monitoring Equipment (EMC). This equipment must remain operational at all times during sea operations. Shipowners are responsible for the purchase, installation, and maintenance of the technology, ensuring that data is never manipulated or interrupted.
Strict Penalties for Non-Compliance
The government is taking a zero-tolerance approach to enforcement. Any vessel found operating without an active system faces severe consequences, including the immediate cancellation of its fishing license, being barred from leaving port, and heavy financial penalties.
For industrial fishing violations—such as tampering with equipment or providing false data—fines range from 2.5 million to 4 million escudos (approximately €22,000 to €36,000). Beyond fines, repeat offenders risk total license revocation and suspension of all maritime activities.
Procedures for Technical Failures
The law provides specific protocols for equipment malfunctions at sea:
- National Vessels: On the first occurrence of the year, a vessel may complete its current trip but must repair the equipment immediately upon docking. Subsequent failures require an immediate return to port.
- Foreign Vessels: If the system fails, foreign ships are strictly prohibited from fishing and must either exit Cape Verde’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) or head directly to a local port for repairs.
Government Support and Maritime Security
Recognizing the financial burden on local fishers, the government has announced it may subsidize up to 50% of the installation costs for national vessels through dedicated financing programs.
While the primary goal of the VMS is to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing, the data collected will serve a broader purpose. Authorities confirmed that the confidential information will also be used to enhance maritime security, combat cross-border crime, manage sustainable resource levels, and improve the efficiency of search and rescue operations.
Though the mandatory nature of satellite monitoring was first proposed in the general fisheries regime of 2020, this new decree provides the legal framework and enforcement power necessary to bring Cape Verde’s fishing industry into the digital age.
Image: Pexels – Ana Marta Jorge
