March 7, 2018 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:
Beginning Monday, March 12, 2018, all charter and party vessel operators holding a federal permit for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be required to electronically submit Vessel Trip Reports for all trips carrying passengers for hire. These electronic Vessel Trip Reports (eVTRs) must be submitted through a NOAA-approved software application within 48 hours of entering port following the end of a fishing trip. This regulation applies to all vessels with these permits, including vessels outside of the Mid-Atlantic region, regardless of where they are fishing when carrying passengers for hire.
This action is not a change in reporting requirements; it is an administrative modification to the method and timing for submitting VTRs.
This change applies to all vessels with federal Greater Atlantic Regional charter or party permits for any of the following species:
- Atlantic mackerel
- Squid
- Butterfish
- Summer Flounder
- Scup
- Black sea bass
- Bluefish
- Tilefish
Electronic Reporting Information and Resources
For more information, visit the Mid-Atlantic Council’s For-Hire Electronic Reporting page or the NOAA Fisheries Summary of eVTR Reporting Requirements. Additional details about eVTR software applications and contacts/support for eVTR problems are available here.
Training Opportunities
The Council has hosted several training sessions to help for-hire vessel operators prepare for these upcoming electronic reporting requirements, including two workshops in April 2017, two workshops in February 2018, and a webinar in March 2018. A recording of the webinar can be viewed online at this link.
On March 16, 2018, The Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) will host a workshop on using the SAFIS eTrips software in Riverhead, NY. Registration is required, and participation will be limited to the first 25 captains who sign up. View the announcement for additional details.
Contact
Individuals with questions about eVTRs should contact Daniel Luers, Sustainable Fisheries Division, at 978-282-8457 or email at Daniel.Luers@noaa.gov.
Quick Links
- MAFMC For-Hire eVTR Page
- MAFMC For-Hire eVTR Q&A
- MAFMC Fact Sheet: How are Party/Charter Vessel Trip Reports Used?
- GARFO Summary of eVTR Reporting Requirements
- GARFO Summary of eVTR Software Options
- NOAA Fisheries Permit Holder Bulletin
Learn more about the MAFMC by visiting their site here.