The Vessel Tracer (VT) iVMS is a small vessel monitoring unit that has been specifically designed for small-scale fisheries. The VT iVMS comes in both solar-powered and line-powered versions. The transponder uses inexpensive cell-phone technology to transmit vessel movements, allowing for higher reporting frequency than traditional VMS. This, in turn, allows for higher resolution monitoring to help determine fishing activity. Both models report positions while within mobile-phone coverage and store any positions and alerts internally if outside coverage. Once coverage is re-established, any stored positions will be forwarded to secure servers. These transponders can instantly warn fishers (and authorities) if a vessel enters into an MPA or any other closure. This assists fishers to work towards legal and sustainable fishing and can be a tool to help protect vulnerable stocks and habitats.