--- title: Requiring Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) – Pros & Cons description: “It (VMS) will undermine the cooperation of small operators.” This is what the former chairman of the South Atlantic Marine Fishery Management Council’s Snapper/Grouper Advisory Panel (SG AP), Don Demaria, […] --- - [Home](https://www.anglersforconservation.org) - Events Show submenu for Events - [🫱🏼‍🫲🏽 Outreach Programs](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/programs) - [🗓️ Events Calendar](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/events) - Education Show submenu for Education - [Bait & Tackle](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/fishing-tackle) - [Boating Safety](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/seagrass) - [Casting](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/casting) - [Knot Tying](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/monofilament-line-recycling) - [Know the Fish](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/know-the-fish) - [Safety & Rod Handling](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Get Involved](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) Show submenu for Get Involved - [Work with Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/work-with-us) - [Volunteer](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/volunteer) - [Buy A license Plate](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) - [Create a Facebook Fundraiser](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) - Giving Show submenu for Giving - [Become a Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/sponsor) - [Become a Corporate Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/become-a-sponsor-0) - [Memorials & Tributes](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/memorials-tributes) - Abous Us Show submenu for Abous Us - [AFC History](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/afc-history) - [Blog](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety-0-0-0-0-1) - [Home](https://www.anglersforconservation.org) - Events Show submenu for Events - [🫱🏼‍🫲🏽 Outreach Programs](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/programs) - [🗓️ Events Calendar](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/events) - Education Show submenu for Education - [Bait & Tackle](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/fishing-tackle) - [Boating Safety](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/seagrass) - [Casting](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/casting) - [Knot Tying](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/monofilament-line-recycling) - [Know the Fish](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/know-the-fish) - [Safety & Rod Handling](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety) - Support Show submenu for Support - [Get Involved](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) Show submenu for Get Involved - [Work with Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/work-with-us) - [Volunteer](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/volunteer) - [Buy A license Plate](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) - [Create a Facebook Fundraiser](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/get-involved) - Giving Show submenu for Giving - [Become a Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/sponsor) - [Become a Corporate Sponsor](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/become-a-sponsor-0) - [Memorials & Tributes](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/memorials-tributes) - Abous Us Show submenu for Abous Us - [AFC History](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/afc-history) - [Blog](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog) - [Contact Us](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/rod-safety-0-0-0-0-1) [Conservation](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog/tag/conservation) # Requiring Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS) – Pros & Cons [Carla Perscky](https://www.anglersforconservation.org/blog/author/carla-perscky) 14 September, 2025 “It (VMS) will undermine the cooperation of small operators.” This is what the former chairman of the*[South Atlantic Marine Fishery Management Council’s Snapper/Grouper Advisory Panel (SG AP)](http://www.safmc.net/)*, Don Demaria, stated while voicing his concern over the proposed Amendment 30 to employ the VMS on vessels with a *Federal South Atlantic Commercial Snapper Grouper Permit*. At this time the Council is not considering the use of VMS on private recreational, or for-hire, vessels. During a recent a *SGAP* meeting in Charleston, South Carolina, the majority of *SGAP* members voiced similar concerns over implementing the *Vessel Monitoring System*. While most agree a VMS for permit holders would increase the collection of more accurate data, boost law enforcement and relieve some safety issues, the overall *SGAP* opinion was the negatives outweighed the positives. Inadequate hardware, *VMS* cost, government interference directed at commercial fishing only, and the fact that *VMS* isn’t aimed at either the charter-for-hire or recreational sector were the reasons that *Amendment 30* didn’t gain *SGAP* support. Current *SGAP* chair, St. Augustine, Florida, charter Captain Robert Johnson supports collecting more data from all anglers, but made it clear “This system needs to be improved first, before we move forward with requiring the VMS.” The final *SGAP* recommendation opposed *Amendment 30* and any requirement for *VMS* on the snapper/grouper fishery, and strongly urged the *[SAFMC](http://www.safmc.net/)* to vote no on *Amendment 30*. 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