REM Requirements Now in Force For Pelagic Fishing Trips
Remote Electronic Monitoring requirements for pelagic fishing vessels operating in Scottish waters came into force on Saturday, 7 March 2026, marking a significant regulatory shift for part of the fleet targeting small pelagic species.
The new rules stem from the Sea Fisheries (Remote Electronic Monitoring and Regulation of Scallop Fishing) (Scotland) Regulations 2024 and mandate the use of monitoring systems on certain categories of pelagic vessels.
The legislation applies to pelagic vessels measuring 12 metres or more in length that are equipped with chilled sea water (CSW), refrigerated sea water (RSW), or freezer storage systems and that use nets to target small pelagic species. These species include mackerel, herring, horse mackerel, anchovy, sardine, blue whiting, argentines, sprat and boarfish.
Under the regulations, these vessels must have an operational REM system installed throughout relevant fishing trips.
Systems Must Operate Throughout Fishing Activity
For Scottish-registered pelagic vessels falling within the scope of the regulations, the monitoring systems must remain fully operational during any fishing trip in any waters where nets are deployed primarily to target small pelagic species.
For non-Scottish vessels, the requirement applies when fishing within the Scottish zone.
In such cases the REM system must be operational from the moment the vessel either leaves a Scottish port or enters Scottish waters and remain active until the vessel either returns to port in Scotland or exits the zone.
The Marine Directorate of the Scottish Government will administer and enforce the legislation on behalf of Scottish Ministers. Officials will access and analyse data collected by the monitoring systems across all relevant pelagic vessels, regardless of nationality.
Cameras, Sensors and Positioning Systems Required
For pelagic vessels, REM systems consist of several onboard technologies designed to record fishing activity.
These include camera systems positioned to monitor catch handling, winch sensors to detect fishing gear deployment, and vessel positioning systems that track the vessel’s movements during fishing operations.
The Scottish Government says the systems are intended to improve monitoring of fishing effort, catch handling and overall compliance within pelagic fisheries.
Data collected from the systems will also be used to support fisheries management decisions and strengthen the scientific evidence base used in marine policy.
The introduction of the technology forms part of the Scottish Government’s Fisheries Management Strategy and aligns with wider objectives set out in the UK Joint Fisheries Statement and the Fisheries Act 2020.
Officials say the monitoring data will contribute to meeting sustainability, precautionary, scientific evidence and bycatch objectives within fisheries policy.
Guidance Issued to Vessel Masters And Owners
Scottish authorities previously issued guidance to vessel masters, owners and charterers outlining their responsibilities under the regulations.
The document states that while the guidance provides an overview of the rules, it does not constitute legal advice and that vessel operators remain responsible for ensuring compliance with the legislation.
Masters, owners and charterers are expected to understand the operational requirements of REM systems and ensure crews working on board are aware of the rules governing their use.
The Scottish Government’s Fully Documented Fisheries Unit has also been offering advice to vessel operators preparing to install monitoring systems, including assessments of equipment suitability and technical requirements.
Environmental Campaigners Welcome Introduction
The introduction of mandatory REM on pelagic vessels has been welcomed by marine conservation campaigners.
Lucy Kay, Public Affairs Manager at Open Seas, said, “We welcome the rollout of Remote Electronic Monitoring equipment on pelagic vessels. The move will help improve compliance and clamp down on illegal and wasteful discarding.
“Just last week we saw mackerel pulled from the shelves of major UK supermarkets due to sustainability concerns, with others now looking to follow suit. This reflects a collective failure to manage a vital and highly profitable fishery sensibly. Governments cannot negotiate with the laws of nature, but they can regulate our fisheries effectively to ensure sustainable catch limits, and accountability for what happens at sea.
“As many nations dither and delay, it’s fantastic to see decisive action to help improve how our seas are managed. Eyes on the water, to uphold the law and gather crucial information on the health of key species, should be non-negotiable in a twenty-first century fishery. Introducing this requirement on some of the largest, most technologically advanced parts of the fleet is a common sense move to safeguard a national public asset, the fish in our seas. The rest of the UK must urgently follow suit.
“Our seas will always be wild places, but our fisheries should not be written off as a wild west. The time to deliver fully documented fisheries that ensure sustainable management of precious marine species is now. The seas, the fishing industry and consumers are all set to benefit.”
