Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting

In recent years, measures have been developed that require some commercial, for-hire, and recreational fishermen to submit vessel trip reports (VTRs) electronically (called eVTRs). Transitioning to electronic reporting makes the collection of important data on fishing vessel catch and effort more efficient, convenient, and timely for fishery managers, and most fishermen have found it more convenient than paper forms once they get used to it. Click on the pages linked below to learn more about electronic reporting requirements and options for different types of fishermen.

For-Hire (Party and Charter) Operators

All for-hire (party and charter) vessels that hold federal permits for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) are required to submit VTRs electronically within 48 hours of completing their trip.

• Learn more about for-hire electronic reporting →

Commercial Vessels

All commercial fishermen issued federal permits to fish for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic or New England Fishery Management Council are required to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours of completing their trip.

• Learn more about commercial electronic reporting →

Recreational Tilefish Anglers

Private recreational vessels fishing for blueline or golden tilefish north of the North Carolina/Virginia border are subject to mandatory permitting and reporting requirements. Private recreational vessels must obtain a Federal private recreational tilefish vessel permit to target or retain golden or blueline tilefish. These vessel operators are also required to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 24 hours of returning to port for trips where tilefish were targeted or retained.

• Learn more about private recreational tilefish permitting and reporting →