Improvement and Modernization of Atlantic Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Vessel Reporting Regulations

NOAA Fisheries approved merging the regulations for the surfclam and ocean quahog vessel logbook with the regulations for the standard Vessel Trip Report (VTR) that applies to other commercial fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region. This action eliminates the separate surfclam/ocean quahog logbook. Surfclam and ocean quahog vessel operators are now required to complete the standard eVTR containing additional data fields to collect information specific to the individual transferable quota (ITQ) fishery, including the ITQ allocation number and the cage tag numbers for all cages being landed.

These updates to the regulations do not increase or substantially alter the reporting requirements for surfclam and ocean quahog vessel operators. The change clarifies what information is required to be reported for each fishing trip and eliminates the confusion that has occurred from having two different sets of reporting regulations.