Fishing boat in Lofoten, Norway.
Photo: Adobe Stock.
The Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries has announced that electronic catch and position reporting requirements will apply to all brand-registered fishing vessels in Norway from January 1, 2026.
This marks the final phase in the nationwide rollout of vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and electronic reporting systems (ERS).
“It is important to complete the introduction of position and catch reporting from the fishing fleet. Such reporting is central to good control of resource extraction, marine scientists' stock assessments and documentation of important fishing areas,” said Minister of Fisheries and the Oceans, Marianne Sivertsen Næss, in a government press announcement.
Norwegian authorities said the move aims to improve regulatory oversight, ensure sustainable fisheries management, and improve data collection for marine research and coastal planning.
The reporting obligations are also seen as a key component of Norway's Marine Resources Act, which entered into force in 2009, and which emphasizes accurate monitoring of resource use and compliance with quotas and fishing permits.
In Norway, electronic reporting was first introduced in 2009 for vessels over 15 metres, and has since been gradually extended to smaller vessel groups. In July 2023, simplified reporting rules were applied to vessels between 10 and 11 metres.
This latest announcement means the requirements for electronic monitoring will now be extended to vessels under 10 meters from 2026 onwards, encompassing Norway's entire fishing fleet.
According to the Ministry of Fisheries, the transition period - described as "soft enforcement" - will now end for vessels over 11 metres, but smaller vessels will still have time to make the changes.
Fishing boats between 10-11 metres have until 1 January 2026 to transition to the new systems, while those under 10 metres will benefit from an extended soft enforcement period until 1 January 2028.
To support compliance with the new rules, Norwegian authorities announced they have increased the subsidy for purchasing reporting equipment to NOK 7,700, effective immediately.
The funding is available to all vessel owners who order the necessary equipment before 1 January 2026, even if installation is delayed due to supplier or installer issues. Each vessel is eligible for one subsidy through the Guarantee Fund for Fishermen.
Norway's Directorate of Fisheries may also require position and catch reporting for vessels under 10 meters as early as 2025, in cases where it is necessary to monitor specific permit or exemption conditions, the Ministry said.
