Pelagic fishing - remote electronic monitoring: guidance

2. Preparing for REM

Requiring REM on pelagic fleets operating in Scottish waters is a new concept and the pelagic sector will need time to prepare for the requirements set out in the legislation. A long lead-in time for the pelagic industry has therefore been included in the legislation. All relevant pelagic boats fishing in Scottish waters must have a fully compliant and operational REM system onboard from 7 March 2026 (Scottish registered pelagic boats must carry and use REM wherever they fish from this date). From this date any non-Scottish pelagic vessel wishing to operate in Scottish waters is required to have a fully operational REM system onboard that has been validated by the FDF Unit.

There are a number of actions that masters, owners and charterers (if any) of relevant pelagic boats will need to undertake between 7 September 2025 and 6 March 2026 at the latest to ensure that their boat is compliant for the introduction of the mandatory REM requirements. Please note that non-Scottish pelagic boats may undertake these actions at a later date but will not be authorised to fish in Scottish waters until they have been completed. In summary, these are:

• Sourcing and purchasing a compliant REM system – it is important that all aspects of the boat’s REM system meet the technical specifications for REM systems for relevant pelagic boats, which are published here: [https://www.gov.scot/policies/sea-fisheries/] [and are also set out in Annex B of this document];
• Installing the REM system – as above the REM system should be installed in such a way that it complies with all technical specifications.
• Submitting mandatory information to the FDF Unit about the REM system that you have had installed onboard your boat.
• Facilitating a remote inspection of the onboard REM system by the FDF Unit.
• Undergoing a system test trip when authorised in writing by the FDF Unit.

2.1 Purchasing and installing your REM system

It is the responsibility of the master, owner and charterer (if any) of a relevant pelagic boat to source, purchase and arrange for the installation of an REM system that meets the technical specifications.

There is no approved supplier scheme in place under this REM legislation. Masters, owners and charterers (if any) are able to choose their own REM supplier and engineer to install the system, providing that the REM technical specifications are met. There are many established and developing companies with relevant expertise and experience of supplying REM systems for a range of fishing boats.

Before purchasing your REM system you must be satisfied that it meets all of the requirements set out in the technical specifications.

Please be aware that the Scottish Government’s technical specifications do require that your REM system should have the capability to introduce additional cameras in areas of your pelagic boat where they are not currently included in the Scottish Government’s technical specifications. This will help to future-proof your REM system and will help to support interoperability with other jurisdictions where Scottish Ministers do not have responsibility and which may require a different configuration of cameras.

It is also possible that other jurisdictions, where Scottish Ministers do not have responsibility, may have differing REM requirements for winch sensors. We therefore recommend that your REM system is configured in such a way as to allow for additional sensors to be introduced that are not currently specified in the Scottish Government’s technical specifications.

If you are experiencing problems in meeting the winch sensor requirement, please speak to the FDF unit, who will be able to explore options with you.

2.2 What should I do once my REM system is installed?

When a REM system has been installed the Scottish pelagic boat master, owner or charterer (if any) should request a validation form from the FDF unit. The form can be sent to you electronically or, if preferred, a paper version is available. The validation form should be completed and returned before 7 March 2026. Additional checks are required to ensure REM equipment is compliant, these are undertaken as part of the system test trip process outlined below. We recommend returning the required documentation well in advance of the 7 March 2026 deadline to ensure that fishing activity will be authorised in time. A copy of this form can be found in Annex A.

The master, owner or charterer (if any) of a non-Scottish boat will be asked to provide evidence, such as an installation confirmation from the supplier that REM has been installed on their vessel when they apply for a licence to fish in UK waters. On receipt of confirmation owners will be issued with a validation form by the FDF unit. The validation form should be completed and returned via email before 7th March 2026. More checks will required to ensure REM equipment is compliant and we recommend returning the required documentation well in advance of any fishing trip to ensure that fishing activity will be authorised in time (with consideration to the legislation becoming enforced from 7 March 2026).

Validation Forms and enquiries should be emailed to FDF@gov.scot.

Please note that any changes to the information you supply must be notified to the FDF Unit in writing via email to FDF@gov.scot, no later than 7 working days after the change occurs. This requirement to update the submitted information continues to apply on an ongoing basis.

Once your form has been submitted you must liaise with the FDF Unit to begin the inspection process so that they can confirm that, at that time, the REM system is fully functioning. This will include a remote inspection of the REM equipment you have installed and a system test trip at sea. Providing that the FDF Unit have given prior written authorisation for the system test trip, the trip can take place from 7 September 2025. The system test trip can be part of a commercial fishing trip and does not necessarily need to take place in Scottish waters. Given the seasonality of pelagic fishing, the master, owner and charterer (if any) will need to carefully consider when such a test trip should take place. Early engagement with the FDF unit will help to avoid bottlenecks and ensure that, where possible, officials can schedule test trips at a time that is convenient.

Following the system test trip, the FDF unit (on behalf of Scottish Ministers) will issue the owner, via email, a copy of the validation form which details whether REM system meets the requirements (at the time of testing). If the REM equipment does not meet the requirements, the form will note remedial actions. Remedial actions must be taken, and the REM system must be functioning to the satisfaction of the FDF Unit, before being able to fish.

If the above actions are not completed and the applicable requirements are not met the master, owner and charterer (if any) of that boat would commit an offence if fishing for small pelagic fish species in Scottish waters (or for Scottish boats, in any waters) takes place. It is the responsibility of the master, owner and charterer (if any) to correct any deficiencies in the REM system that are identified as a result of the remote inspection or system test trip. Examples of possible deficiencies might include positioning of cameras or needing additional cameras to capture everything which the technical specifications require the cameras to capture.

We recommend you complete this process in good time as you will not be permitted to fish in Scottish waters (or for Scottish boats, in any waters) from 7 March 2026 until these steps are complete.

This section also applies if at any point you replace your REM system or a component of your system (identified below). Again, engaging with the FDF unit early will help to minimise any operational delays.

2.3 What happens if I replace my REM system?

If you replace any part of your REM system control box, winch sensors or cameras at any point, you must follow the steps outlined in the section above and arrange for a system test trip to be carried out. You may not fish in Scottish waters (or for Scottish boats, in any waters) until the steps outlined are complete.

2.4 Technical specifications

The technical specifications that the REM system must meet are set out at Annex B.

The Scottish Government reserves the right to amend the technical specifications periodically. We do not anticipate that changes to the technical specifications will be made on a regular basis. However, where a change is considered necessary, it will be subject to appropriate consultation with relevant pelagic boats and will have a sufficient implementation period prior to the changes taking effect. For example, the technical specifications currently require that all REM cameras onboard pelagic vessels are capable of recording video at a minimum rate of 30 frames per second. In future we anticipate that it may be possible for some cameras to reduce this minimum frame rate. Subject to appropriate consultation, such a change could help to reduce the volume of REM data gathered.

2.5 System Diagnostic Checks

It is important that regular checks are undertaken to ensure that the REM system installed onboard a relevant pelagic boat continues to be compliant.

The master, owner and charterer (if any) must ensure that the REM system installed on board the relevant pelagic boat is fully functional for the duration of the fishing trip.

To assist with this, we recommend that a system diagnostic check is carried out prior to:

• a relevant pelagic boat leaving port;
• a relevant pelagic boat entering Scottish waters (this applies to non-Scottish boats only);
• a relevant pelagic boat commencing each fishing operation.

Your system provider will be able to demonstrate how to carry out a system check and discuss the diagnostics undertaken.

Please note that, whilst not a requirement in the technical specifications published in accordance with the REM legislation, other jurisdictions may require system diagnostics and remote access for configuration of REM systems to be made available. We recommend that vessels undertake appropriate investigations to determine what requirements for REM systems might apply elsewhere.