Govt puts fishing boats on satellite watch

The federal government has finalised a plan to install Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) on fishing boats to enhance maritime security and curb illegal activities at sea.

The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) will oversee the installation. Before the equipment is fitted, all boats will be registered formally.

Sources said around 10,000 fishing boats from Sindh and Balochistan will be brought under the VMS network. In the first phase, 4,000 boats from Sindh and 4,000 from Balochistan will be covered. Only boats 12 meters, 39 feet, or longer will be equipped, as smaller vessels do not have the capacity for long-distance sea travel. The cost, estimated at Rs100,000 to Rs150,000 per unit, will be borne by the government. The VMS device is being manufactured locally.

Officials said the move will allow real-time tracking of hundreds of boats operating simultaneously at sea. It will help identify suspicious vessels, reach accident sites faster, prevent the use of harmful nets and illegal fishing, and monitor smuggling of liquor, drugs, and human trafficking. The long-pending project was previously stalled after reservations from fishermen's organizations.

Maritime experts said VMS is a satellite and communication system used worldwide to monitor vessels. It tracks a boat's speed, direction, and movement in real time, similar to an online tracking system, and also supports enforcement of fisheries laws.

Sources added the system will also act as a safety shield for fishermen.

In an emergency, pressing a single button will enable rescue agencies to locate a boat in distress. It will further help detect boats operating without personal safety gear or firefighting equipment, and crack down on the nighttime distribution of banned nets from illegal jetties.

Under the law, vessels over 15 meters cannot go into deep sea without the system.