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One issue that may arise is the possibility of tampering with data and " cheating " the system. The easiest way to do this would be to block the antennae to the GPS or disconnecting the power supply, but analysis of the GPS data would show the ship's absence, and regulators would be able to investigate the vessel's whereabouts. Several kits designed to tamper with the electronics within the system and falsify GPS data had been manufactured and sold in Korea, so Thrane & Thrane reinvented its products so that the GPS unit was more completely integrated with the communications unit, making it much harder to manipulate.
Nations are beginning to realize the benefits of such a system and have already taken steps towards implementing it. The United States and the United Kingdom both have some form of GPS tracking system used for the regulation of their waters. In 2000, the UK required a GPS system in every fishing vessel over 24 meters (AST, 2004). Three years ago British regulators decided that fishing vessels 15 meters and longer would be required to have the GPS Vessel Monitoring System have a GPS vessel monitoring system (VMS) installed, and signed a contract purchasing 750 VMS devices for fishing vessels. The devices are designed to be tamper proof in order to guarantee the accuracy of the information. The equipment provides the monitoring agency with the vessel's speed, direction, position, course and destination, allowing easy and successful regulation enforcement in British waters.
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