HMS-ITP Release-1.0.0

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) manages Atlantic highly migratory species under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and Atlantic Tunas Convention Act. Using the application system developed by the Office of Science and Technology, NMFS issues Highly Migratory Species (HMS) International Trade Permits per 50 CFR 300 subpart m to applicants seeking authority to import, export, or re-export HMS such as swordfish, bluefin tuna, and shark fins.

The HMSDP permits data entry system was developed to allow permit processing staff in the Southeast Regional Permits Office to enter and process ITP permits with the following functionality:

- Data entry capability for inserting of data into the system.

- Data editing capability for data modification in case of error, or information

changes.

- Validations of information such as permit dates, basic verification of data type

and required field information.

- Permit renewal editing capabilities.

- User initiated issue notice of permit renewal function based on a date range.

- Generating of renewal letters and pre-printed applications.

- Automatic archiving of data on generating renewals.

- Generating on demand a report of valid dealer permit holders.

NMFS is modifying permitting and reporting requirements for the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) International Trade Permit (ITP) program to improve program efficacy and enforceability, and implement the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)

bluefin tuna catch documentation (BCD) program. The modified regulations also implement the new definition of "import" contained in the Magnuson- Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), and require that shark fin importers, exporters, and re-exporters obtain the HMS ITP to assist NMFS in monitoring trade of shark fins. This action is necessary to implement recommendations of ICCAT, as required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.

The HMSDP system shall allow permit processing staff to enter information into a relational database system via the Internet. It shall also allow permit processing staff to track permit renewal dates and various permit statuses of individual permit holders. The system shall contain functionality to allow NOAA Fisheries permit staff to be able to print reports (i.e., Renewal Notices, Renewal Applications, and Dealer Permits).

In addition, there needs to be a reporting tool via the internet to allow various authorized individuals (i.e., Permit Processing Staff, Field Agents...) the ability to login and obtain a valid dealer listing of all active permits.

The system now supports Southeast Regional NMFS permit personnel in the monitoring, tracking and renewal of permits. This system will eventually be merged into the National Permit system once the functional design and development of NPS are complete.