How to Complete a Commercial eVTR Using the eVTR App

Use this page for guidance on filling in eVTR fields on the app to complete your report. Visit this webpage for information on how to download Fish Online and set up an account. 

NOTE: The document Electronic Vessel Trip Report (eVTR) Reporting Instructions (PDF, 50 pages) provides the complete reference information that you need to satisfy reporting requirements. 

Getting Started

1. Log in to the Fish Online Vessel Trip Reporting Web Page using your Fish Online account username and password.
2. For those using an Android device or a computer, tap or click the Install tab so that the app will be saved to your device.
3. For iOS users, save the reporting page as an app by selecting Add to home screen using the forward icon located at the bottom of the device: 

NOTE: When you use the installed app, you may complete your trip report without an internet connection; however, an internet connection is required to submit the data.

Report a Trip With Catch

Vessel Information

1. Click or tap the + sign in the top right corner of the screen.
2. Enter the DATE SAILED and VESSEL PERMIT NUMBER (search for this either by vessel name or permit number).  Once complete, select NEXT. 

Trip Type

1. Enter TRIP TYPE and NUMBER OF CREW.

If you are a vessel operator, you should already be known to Fish Online eVTR Web App based on your username and password. If for any reason you are not, see our contact information below. 

2. Select NEXT.
3. Review for accuracy, then select SAVE.

Effort

1. Select ADD EFFORT at the bottom of the screen.
2. Enter GEAR CODE, GEAR QUANTITY, GEAR SIZE, and MESH SIZE. Select NEXT.
3. Enter CHART AREA, NUMBER OF HAULS, SOAK TIME, and FISHING DEPTH (fathoms), then select NEXT.
4. Enter LATITUDE/LONGITUDE by selecting either the CURRENT LOCATION button (using the device’s GPS) or by selecting your preferred Lat/Lon format and entering it manually.
5. Select SAVE.

Catch

1. Select ADD CATCH at the bottom of the screen.
2. Enter species caught either by searching for the name or by searching for the species code.
3. Enter the pounds KEPT and the pounds DISCARDED. (If you discarded no fish, you must enter 0 into the Discard field.) Select SAVE. 
4. Continue in this manner to add any additional catch until you have reported all of it, then select TRIP REVIEW at the bottom of the screen.

NOTE: If you are adding another Effort for this trip, select ADD EFFORT and follow the steps in the previous section, Effort.

Landing and Offload

1. Select ADD LANDING from the bottom of the screen.
2. Enter DATE AND TIME LANDED, then select SAVE.
3. Select ADD OFFLOAD.
4. Select SPECIES to offload (either individually or by using the SELECT ALL button), then select NEXT.
5. Enter POUNDS SOLD, DEALER INFORMATION, PORT LANDED, and DATE SOLD, then select SAVE.

Sign

1. Select SIGN at the bottom of the screen.
2. Review DATE SAILED and DATE LAND times for accuracy, then select NEXT.
3. Review offload and sale information for accuracy, then select NEXT.
4. Check the box (you may be prompted to log in again at this point), then click or tap SUBMIT.

Split Trips

There are two possible ways for a split-trip to occur:

1. A vessel goes on a trip, enters a port, offloads only a portion of the catch, then returns to sea to continue to fish. This activity is considered as two separate trips and requires you submit two independent eVTRs. 
2. A vessel goes on a trip, enters a port, offloads only a portion of the catch, then steams to a second port (i.e., home port) to offload all remaining catch. This activity is considered as two separate trips and requires you to submit two independent eVTRs. The second eVTR is a no-effort trip that must include the Trip Activity code Transit With Product On Board. 

Vessel Information 

1. Click or tap the + sign in the top right corner of the screen. 
2. Enter the values for DATE SAILED and VESSEL PERMIT NUMBER (search for this by vessel name or vessel permit number). Once complete, select NEXT. 

Trip Type

1. Enter TRIP TYPE and NUMBER OF CREW. Select NEXT.
2. Review for accuracy, then select SAVE.

NOTE: You should complete this step while leaving port. 

Effort

1. Select ADD EFFORT at the bottom of the screen. 
2. Enter GEAR CODE, GEAR QUANTITY, GEAR SIZE, and MESH SIZE. Select NEXT. 
3. Enter CHART AREA, NUMBER OF HAULS, SOAK TIME, and FISHING DEPTH (fathoms), then select NEXT. 
4. Enter LATITUDE/LONGITUDE by selecting either the CURRENT LOCATION button (using the device's GPS) or by selecting your preferred Lat/Lon format and entering it manually. 
5. Select SAVE. 

Catch

1. Select ADD CATCH at the bottom of the screen. 
2. Enter species caught either by search for the name or by searching for the species code. 
3. Enter the pounds KEPT and the pounds DISCARDED. (If you discarded no fish, you must enter 0 in the Discard field). Select SAVE. 
4. Continue in this manner to add any additional catch until you have reported all of it, then select TRIP REVIEW at the bottom of the screen. 

NOTE: If you have changed the statistical area (Chart Area) or changed the Gear Type, tap the + sign to add another Effort. If you have not changed the Chart Area or changed the Gear Type, you are done with Efforts and are returning to port.

For boats going to port for weather, or going to unload a portion of their catch, please follow these specific instructions:

Landing and Offload

1. Select ADD LANDING from the bottom of the screen. 
2. Enter DATE AND TIME LANDED, then select SAVE.
3. Select ADD OFFLOAD from the bottom of the screen. 
4. Select SPECIES to offload, (if you are offloading multiple species, just tap on those species you are offloading) then select NEXT.
5. Enter POUNDS SOLD, DEALER INFORMATION, PORT LANDED, and DATE SOLD, then select SAVE.
6. Select ADD OFFLOAD again, tap the SELECT ALL button and tap NEXT. 
7. Add the quantity available for ALL SPECIES SELECTED.
8. Select RETAINED FOR FUTURE SALE in the Dealer section, enter PORT AND DATE SOLD and tap SAVE.
9. Once this process is complete tap SIGN at the bottom of the screen. 

Important Split Trip Information

At this point the trip has been submitted. When the vessel leaves port to continue its trip, start a new eVTR for the rest of the trip. Follow the steps for completing the trip report as you would normally. 

IMPORTANT: Only the catch caught on the "second leg" of the trip should be entered in the current eVTR because the fish already on board have been accounted for in the previous eVTR that you filled out. Provide the dealer with the eVTR Trip ID number from current trip and let that dealer know the offload is a combined trip. 

Did Not Catch

You must report your trip even if you didn’t catch any fish:

1. Begin a trip by tapping the + sign. 
2. Enter Sail Date and Vessel Permit, then tap NEXT. 
3. Enter TRIP TYPE (Charter or Party), NUMBER OF CREW , NUMBER OF ANGLERS, and VESSEL OPERATOR, then tap NEXT then SAVE.
4. Tap ADD EFFORT, then enter Gear Code, Gear QTY, Gear Size and Mesh Size then tap NEXT. 
5. Enter CHART AREA, No. of Hauls, TOW/SOAK TIME AND DEPTH, then tap NEXT.
6. Select LAT/LON FORMAT, then enter LAT and LON or use the CURRENT LOCATION function if on location. Tap SAVE.
7. Tap ADD CATCH and in the Species Search Box search for NO CATCH, then tap SAVE. 
8. Tap TRIP REVIEW.
9. Tap ADD LANDING. Enter date/time then tap SAVE.
10. Tap SIGN, review by tapping NEXT, check off certification box, then tap SUBMIT to sign and submit your report.

You must report your trip if you began a fishing trip, but returned to port before fishing occurs due to issues like bad weather, mechanical problems or illness:

1. Begin a trip by tapping the + sign.
2. Enter SAIL DATE and VESSEL PERMIT, then tap NEXT.
3. Enter TRIP TYPE (Charter or Party), NO. OF CREW, NO. OF ANGLERS, and VESSEL OPERATOR, then tap NEXT, then tap SAVE.
4. Tap NO EFFORT TRIP, then select a reason for no effort.
5. Tap SIGN, then enter your Land Date, then tap NEXT.
6. Select the proper trip activity, then tap NEXT.
7. Check the certification box.
8. Submit your report.

Displaying All Trips Submitted to NOAA

On the Home screen, the blue boxes displaying trip information are a combination of open and submitted trips on your current device. To see all trips that you submitted to NOAA, click on the three lines at the top left of the home screen, then select VTR Trip List. This action displays all submitted trips regardless of the device used.

Contact Us

Contact our Help Desk at (978) 281-9188, nmfs.gar.reporting@noaa.gov or your local Port Agent.