Vanuatu introduces Vessel Day Scheme in EEZ

On Wednesday, July 26th, 2023, the Director-General (DG) of the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Fisheries and Biosecurity (MALFFB), Moses Amos officially launched the Vessel Day Scheme (VDS) System and The Integrated Fisheries Information Management System (iFIMS) at the Ramada Resort in Port Vila.

“This launch marks a significant milestone for the government, culminating years of negotiation since 2009, to transition to a new licensing system to comm in 2024,” DG Amos said. The VDS is an innovative fisheries management and revenue mechanism that establishes a limit on fishing vessel operations within the Vanuatu Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

Each fishing vessel is allocated a specific number of "fishing days" that permits them to operate within the zone during a given period. To access these allocated fishing days, vessels must first obtain a fishing license, acting as a legal agreement between the vessel and the Government of Vanuatu.

“The proposal for a Vessel Day Scheme for Vanuatu (VU-VDS) is modelled around the VDS currently being implemented by the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA). Vanuatu applied to join the PNA scheme over 5 years ago, but has not received a formal response.

“The total number of allocated fishing days, is determined based on several factors, including vessel size, historical fishing patterns, and the sustainability of the target species.

“The scheme will enable Vanuatu to maximize its capacity to benefit from the allocated value of offshore Tuna resources within its EEZ,” Vanuatu Department of Fisheries Director, Sompert Gereva said.

The implementation of the VDS also aims to manage fisheries resources, improve government revenue while maintaining a balance with the fishing industry's interests.

This will in return change, Vanuatu’s Annual Fisheries Licensing Scheme, moving away from vessel limits and focus on catch limits.

This program is fully funded and supported by the Vanuatu Government.