November 1, 2021 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

As a reminder, beginning next Wednesday, November 10, all commercial vessels with federal permits for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic or New England Council will be required to submit vessel trip reports (VTRs) electronically as eVTRs within 48 hours of the end of a trip. Vessel operators have several NOAA Fisheries-approved eVTR applications to choose from. This also applies to vessels holding a NEFMC for-hire permit. This does not apply to vessels holding only an American lobster permit.

In preparation for the upcoming implementation of these new requirements, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will host a training webinar on Tuesday, November 2, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. This webinar will include a step-by-step tutorial of one of the most commonly used eVTR applications, eTrips/Mobile 2. The demo will be followed by time for questions. eTrips/Mobile 2 is compatible with Windows 10 (PC), and both Apple/Android phone and tablet platforms. To benefit from this workshop, we recommend downloading the eTrips Mobile 2 app and obtaining a SAFIS Username and Password before the workshop. Visit the event page for details and webinar connection information. Contact Andy Loftus, MAFMC eVTR Outreach Liaison, with any questions. If you’re not able to attend but would like to view the demo, a recording from the September 15th webinar is available here.

Webinar and Call-In Information

•Click here to join the webinar (If prompted, enter Meeting number (access code): 2332 243 8511 and Meeting password: FNubkJG3X24)

•To join by phone: dial 1-844-621-3956 and enter access code 2332 243 8511

Additional eVTR Resources

Commercial fishermen are encouraged to transition to electronic reporting before the November 10 implementation date. The pages and videos linked below provide information to help get you started.

General

•MAFMC Commercial eVTR Page

•NOAA Fisheries eVTR Software Options

•Vessel Trip Reporting in the Greater Atlantic Region

•Deciding Which eVTR Option Works for You

•Frequent Questions: eVTR

Past Training Webinars

The Council and GARFO have both hosted training webinars with step-by-step demonstrations of electronic reporting applications. Recordings from those webinars are available at the links below.

•MAFMC Training Webinar: eTrips/mobile 2 Demo and Q&A

•GARFO Instructional Webinar Series (scroll down to the “Dates” section and click on the Recording links)

eVTR Tutorials

eTrips/Mobile 2 Tutorials:

•VIDEO: Downloading the Application to your phone – Apple, Android

•VIDEO: Downloading the Application – from the Windows Store

•VIDEO: Setting up favorites on your phone – Apple, Android

•VIDEO: Setting up favorites in Windows 10

•VIDEO: Entering and submitting a trip on your phone – Apple, Android

•VIDEO: Entering and submitting a trip in Windows 10

NOAA Fish Online Tutorials

•NOAA Fish Online for iOS App How-To Card

•VIDEO: How to download the FOL app to an iOS device

•VIDEO: How to create a FOL account using an IOS device

•VIDEO: Submitting a commercial eVTR using the FOL iOS app

•VIDEO: Submitting a commercial eVTR using the FOL web app