| Cornwall fisherman questions 'absurd' tracking system for small boats | |
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Source: bbc |
9/19/2021 |
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Plans to require all English fishing boats, no matter how small, to install a tracking system are "absurd", according to one fisherman.
Johnny Murt, from Cornwall, questioned the need for the government "to know where you are for every second you are at sea".
Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) for boats under 12m (39ft) are expected to be required by January.
The government said it would improve the "quality of data" from boats.
Vessels over 12m are already required to have a VMS on board - which allow regulators to monitor their location, speed, course and other data. |
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Johnny Murt, a crab fisherman who operates out from Padstow, expressed frustration at the potential cost of installation and upkeep for small-scale fishing vessels.
He said: "Even little cove boats with no wheelhouses are going to have to have Vessel Monitoring Systems, it's absurd.
"I just don't see why they need to know where you are for every second you are at sea." |
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