[Public Notice] Vessel Monitoring System Regulations – National Oceanic Resource Management Authority

PURSUANT TO SECTION 204 OF TITLE 24 OF THE CODE OF FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA (FSMC)

This is to inform the general public that National Oceanic Resource Management Authority (NORMA), through its Board of Directors, hereby proposes to promulgate the Vessel Monitoring System Regulations. This public notice is made pursuant Section 204 of Title 24 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia.

The purpose of the VMS Regulations is to prescribe the legal requirements and responsibility for a fishing vessel operating within FSM or FSM Flagged to register in the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). The VMS system is a tool that enables NORMA to monitor the position and activities of foreign and domestic fishing vessels for the purpose of effective management of fisheries. The regulations also require all fishing vessels operating in FSM or FSM flagged to install, maintain and operate a Automated Location Communicator (ALC) device which transmit information or data concerning the position, fishing, and other activities of the fishing vessel.

These regulations are necessary to implement Section 611 of Title 24 of the Code of the Federated States of Micronesia. The proposed Regulations are open for public’s view and comment beginning on the date of posting and ending on the 30^th day of posting. Extra copies of the proposed Regulations can be obtained from the Office of the Executive Director, NORMA. Any person interested in commenting on the proposed Regulations may do so in written submission to:

Eugene Pangelinan
National Oceanic Resource Management Authority
P.O. Box PS-122
Palikir, Pohnpei FSM 96941
Tel: (691) 320-2700
Fax: (691) 320-2383
Email: feedback.regs@norma.fm

All written comments or submissions must be submitted to NORMA within the thirty (30) days after the posting of this notice. Written comments and submission must be submitted to NORMA during office working hours (8am to 5pm) from Monday to Friday working days.

The VMS Regulations are proposed to take effect forty days from the date of the posting of this Notice. Otherwise a different effective date will be noted on the certified copy of the Regulations to be filed pursuant to 17 FSMC Section 103(1).