Decree No. 22/2016 approving the Regulation on the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS).

This Decree establishes and regulates the mandatory installation of devices that allow the detection and identification of vessels through satellite tracking systems, called Vessel Monitoring System (VMS). Any industrial fishing vessel wishing to obtain a licence to fish in the waters under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau must be equipped with a device that allows it to be detected and identified using the above mentioned satellite tracking system (VMS). Any national industrial fishing vessel operating in international waters or under the sovereignty or jurisdiction of third countries is also obliged to have this device, which must function correctly and be compatible with Guinea-Bissau's VMS system. The use of this device does not exempt the application of the rules on the transmission of messages entering and leaving the Exclusive Economic Zone under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.