Product: RockFLEET
How RockFLEET Helps French Fishing Fleets Meet 2026 VMS Rules
New satellite vessel monitoring requirements for France’s coastal fishing fleet
In 2026, France introduced mandatory Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) requirements for professional fishing vessels under 12 metres, extending satellite monitoring across almost the entire commercial fishing fleet.
The change, driven by reforms to the European Union’s Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and France’s Order of 24 February 2026, represented one of the most significant regulatory changes for the country’s coastal fishing industry in recent years.
With around 86% of France’s professional fishing vessels measuring less than 12 meters, thousands of operators needed to equip their vessels with approved tracking technology capable of securely transmitting vessel position and activity data to fisheries authorities.
The Challenge
Until the legislation was enacted, mandatory VMS tracking in Europe applied only to fishing vessels over 12 meters. Beginning in 2026, the requirement will be progressively extended to smaller professional fishing vessels operating in coastal waters, including many artisanal fishing businesses that use passive fishing gear such as nets, longlines and pots.
The legislation has been introduced to improve the traceability of fishing activities, strengthen fisheries control across Europe and support the sustainable management of marine resources. By extending VMS across the entire professional fleet, European and French authorities aimed to create a more consistent and transparent approach to fisheries monitoring while providing scientists with higher quality data to better understand fish stocks and fishing activity.
For many vessel owners, the challenge was finding a tracking solution that not only complied with the new regulations, but also operated reliably in both coastal and offshore environments without disrupting day to day fishing operations.
The Solution
Ground Control’s RockFLEET tracking device provides a dependable vessel monitoring solution designed specifically for the demands of the maritime industry. Drawing on our parent company CLS’s extensive expertise in satellite technology and fisheries monitoring, RockFLEET enables operators to meet the latest French and European VMS requirements through secure, continuous reporting.
The system automatically transmits vessel position data while intelligently switching between cellular networks in coastal waters and the Iridium satellite network when further out to sea. This hybrid approach ensures uninterrupted connectivity throughout every voyage without requiring manual intervention from the crew.
All transmitted data is protected using AES-256 encryption, while advanced geofencing, automated alerts and electronic catch reporting integration help operators meet regulatory obligations with confidence. RockFLEET is also compatible with fisheries monitoring centres and existing regulatory systems, making deployment straightforward for vessel owners and authorities alike.
Supporting Sustainable Fisheries
The expansion of VMS across France’s coastal fishing fleet forms part of a broader European initiative to improve transparency, traceability and the long-term sustainability of commercial fishing. By increasing the quality and coverage of satellite monitoring data, fisheries authorities can verify compliance with regulated fishing areas, strengthen efforts to combat illegal fishing, and improve the scientific assessment of fish stocks.
For vessel owners, this transition is an opportunity to adopt modern digital technology that improves operational efficiency, enhances safety and contributes to the sustainable management of marine resources. With reliable hybrid connectivity and trusted satellite communications, RockFLEET helps make this transition both straightforward and future-ready.
The Results
While RockFLEET enables operators to comply with the new VMS regulations, its benefits extend well beyond regulatory compliance. Continuous vessel visibility provides fishing businesses with greater operational awareness while improving crew safety and vessel fleet management. At the same time, fisheries authorities receive secure, reliable vessel position reports that support more effective monitoring and enforcement.
By simplifying compliance and delivering reliable connectivity wherever vessels operate, RockFLEET supports the digital transformation of France’s small-scale fishing sector. Operators gain a modern tracking solution that not only satisfies today’s legal requirements but also prepares them for future developments in fisheries management and digital reporting.
Paul Steinbach, Sales Manager, France & Overseas Territories, CLS Group, says:
“With the RockFLEET device, we have a reliable and easy-to-use solution that meets the new regulatory requirements while giving us greater visibility of vessel operations.”
Looking Ahead
As VMS requirements continue to expand across Europe’s fishing fleets, reliable satellite connectivity will become an increasingly important part of everyday fishing operations. RockFLEET gives operators the confidence that they can remain compliant while benefiting from a robust vessel monitoring solution that delivers continuous tracking, secure communications, and dependable performance in even the most challenging maritime environments.
Whether operating close to shore or far offshore, fishing businesses can rely on RockFLEET to support compliance today while providing the connectivity needed for the future of digital fisheries management.
Want to Find Out More?
If you are looking for a reliable, secure, and easy-to-use vessel tracking device, RockFLEET is a great option. It’s perfect for a variety of maritime applications, and backed by a team of experts who are dedicated to providing you with the best possible support.
Start a chat with our team today and discover how RockFLEET can enhance your marine operations. Complete our online form, or if you prefer to speak to someone directly, call us on +44 (0) 1452 751940 (Europe, Asia, Africa) or +1.805.783.4600 (North and South America). We’re standing by to help.
Ground Control in Partnership with Pivotel
Ground Control has been working successfully in partnership with leading remote communication provider Pivotel to support the RockFLEET devices deployed with Queensland and New Zealand fishers. Over 700 RockFLEET units have been installed on Queensland and New Zealand fishing boats.
Our collaboration resulted in an expansion of the RockFLEET capabilities to support SOS alarms, scheduled check-ins, remote messaging, and catch-reporting via Bluetooth apps. RockFLEET can also slow down automatically when in port.
Currently, there’s a focus on ensuring the device maintains effective tracking for all Queensland and New Zealand vessels. Leveraging Pivotel’s online tracking portal, Tracertrak, the RockFLEET device provides real-time and historical location information to the license holder.
“The RockFLEET device is a high-quality product that’s proven easy to install and operate, but still offers the sophisticated data and coverage that the Queensland fishing industry requires.”
Peter Bolger, CEO
The Challenge
Under the terms of the scheme in Queensland, all commercial fishing and charter boats required a vessel tracking device to be fitted and operational by the end of 2020. Meanwhile, trawl, net, crab and line boats required VMS tracking to comply with regulation that came into effect in early 2019.
This is becoming a reality for many fishing industries around the world and the products used need to be reliable, robust, and connected, wherever the boat may be.
The Solution
RockFLEET’s proven reliability ensures skippers can always meet tracking requirements under their scheme.
The comparatively low initial hardware outlay and ongoing airtime costs makes RockFLEET a competitively priced VMS solution. Its compact and lightweight design makes it easy and simple to install.
The global two way communication ability, low cost of ownership, and reliability of the Iridium network gives clear advantages for VMS.
- Truly global two-way coverage
- All-in-one small unit and easy installation
- Bluetooth API with iOS/Android libraries
- Automatic transmission rate changes
- Proven maritime build quality and longevity
- Lifetime phone and email support
- Full API support for third-party mapping portals.
Built with Ground Control
The work we support genuinely inspires us, and we’re proud to create solutions and solve customer problems like no one else can.
If you’d like to get in touch with the team either to discuss a challenge similar to that of the one above, or something completely different our team of experts will be happy to provide objective advice. Either complete the form or email hello@groundcontrol.com and we’ll respond within one working day.
Effortless Cloud-Based Fleet Tracking with v2track
For over 15 years, v2track has delivered affordable, global, high detail flight and fleet tracking, via their powerful cloud-based asset viewing and interaction platform. v2track manufactures its own tracking device, and have also integrated their ‘Viewer’ software with Ground Control’s RockAIR, RockSTAR and RockFLEET tracking devices.
A complete solution for fleet tracking
Ground Control’s RockAIR and RockFLEET devices are very similar devices; both offer dual-mode cellular and satellite tracking capabilities, leveraging the global Iridium network, so that no matter where your asset goes, you will be able to see their location in real time.
Both provide text-based communication, so pilots and drivers can keep in touch with their base of operations. The RockAIR is designed to be carry on / carry off, with a battery that will last up to two weeks, whereas the RockFLEET is designed to be installed; either can be used on air, on land, or at sea.
What V2Track brings to the party is their advanced software platform, which has been designed by aviators, for aviators, and works extremely well for land-based fleet operations too.
Introducing V2Track’s Viewer platform
As the Viewer is cloud-based, there’s no need to download any programmes or install updates; when you log in via your desktop, tablet or mobile, you’ll be using the most up to date version of the software. Using the View you can monitor all of your aircraft, vehicles and assets in real-time. It retains the history of every trip / session for future retrieval.
- Customizable, automatic SMS, email and website alerts, e.g. speeding alerts, out of hours use, movement in and out of predefined areas
- Flight following alerts: proximity and non-reporting
- EFB functions
- Flight manifests
- Electronic checklists
- Daily history, playback and reports
When you combine the tracking and communication capabilities of the RockAIR, RockSTAR and RockFLEET devices with V2Track’s innovative and constantly improved software solution, you have an end-to-end solution for fleet tracking, anywhere in the world.
“We wanted to offer our customers a choice of hardware for their tracking and communication needs, and chose to integrate with Ground Control because of their justified reputation for reliability, and the ease of integration with our software. They make it very easy for us to work with them, and in turn, our customers get a very competitively priced and powerful fleet tracking and communication solution.”
Kylan Diprose, Director, v2track
Like to know more?
If you’re interested in V2Track’s fleet tracking and communications solution, or you have your own tracking software and want to explore integration options with Ground Control’s satellite tracking devices, we’d love to hear from you.
Call or email us, or complete the form, and one of our experienced team will be happy to help.