Saving Seafood

NMFS switching Northeast fishermen to electronic reporting; new policy to reimburse electronic monitoring

April 9, 2021 — NMFS and the Northeast fishing fleet will shift to fully electronic catch reporting this fall for most commercial and for-hire fishing vessels, says the agency’s Greater Atlantic regional office.

It’s the end of the traditional paper logbooks distributed by the agency, where officials say the new system via digital devices “will increase reporting efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of the fisheries data we use to manage fish stocks in our region.”

In an April 5 announcement promoting the system, NMFS quotes “early adopters” who have been using the electronic reports.

Ryan Kelly, owner/operator of the Seaquestor II out of Barnegat Light, N.J., has been reporting electronically for several years using his iPhone and the NMFS iOS Fish Online app.

Read the full story at National Fisherman

Early Adopters: Positive Feedback from Commercial Fishermen Reporting Electronically

April 8, 2021 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

This fall, many commercial and all federally permitted for-hire fishermen will be required to report electronically rather than using paper logbooks. This will increase reporting efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness of the fisheries data we use to manage fish stocks in our region. Some fishermen have already begun to use electronic reporting and are finding it easy to use.

Captain Ryan Kelly, F/V Seaquestor II

Ryan Kelly is the owner/operator of the F/V Seaquestor II out of Barnegat Light, New Jersey. He has been reporting electronically on his iPhone for several years using our iOS Fish Online app.

Captain Kelly operates multiple fishing vessels and believes that reporting electronically is more efficient than using paper reports. Two of the things he likes best:

  • The automatic function that sends his reports quickly to federal or state agencies
  • The “quick pick” buttons for frequently used information so he doesn’t have to enter the same things each time

This feature is especially helpful in rough weather. Captain Kelly’s experience with electronic reporting has been positive, and he is helping other fishermen learn how to do it themselves.

Captain Patrick Fehily, F/V Major Expense and F/V Market Price

In Point Pleasant, New Jersey, Patrick Fehily, F/V Major Expense and F/V Market Price, is new to electronic reporting but already recognizes its benefits. He appreciates that the Fish Online app ensures that all entries are complete and correct before a report can be submitted. That means he will not have to make corrections later. Also, the app prevents any handwriting or code issues. Captain Fehily says that it’s “actually one of the easiest apps I have ever used in my life, and it’s so easy to use as an operator that you can’t really make a mistake with it.”  He encourages other fishermen to start using it now and not wait until the last minute when NOAA Fisheries staff will be very busy assisting fishermen’s transition to electronic reporting.

How to Report Electronically

All fishermen can choose from several smart devices and web-based apps to report electronically. For more information and technical support, go to Vessel Trip Reporting or contact your local Port Agent.