Frequently Asked Questions Modifications to Federally Permitted For-Hire Vessels Reporting Requirements for Fishery Management Plans for the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish and Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources

What would the new reporting requirements be?

• The For-Hire Electronic Reporting Amendment would modify data reporting requirements for federally permitted for-hire vessels (charter vessels and headboats) in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) to:
  • Declare (hail-out) the type of trip (for-hire or other) prior to departing for any trip
  • Electronically submit trip-level reports prior to off-loading fish at the end of each fishing trip.  Previously, electronic reports were submitted by headboats on a weekly basis and charter vessels were only required to report if selected by NOAA Fisheries.
  • Use hardware and software with global positioning system (GPS) capabilities that, at a minimum, archive vessel position data during a trip.
• Hail-out: Prior to departing for any trip, the owner or operator of a vessel issued a charter vessel/headboat permit for Gulf reef fish or Gulf CMP is required to declare the type of trip (e.g., for-hire or other trip).  When departing on a for-hire trip they must include the expected return date, time, and landing location. 
• Landing Reports: Reports would include information about catch and effort, and economic information during the trip.  The owner or operator would be required to submit an electronic fishing report using hardware and software that meets NOAA Fisheries technical requirements and has been approved by NOAA Fisheries.
• Location Tracking and Reporting:  Federally permitted for-hire vessels would be required to possess a GPS permanently attached to the vessel that is capable, at a minimum, of archiving GPS locations.  This requirement would not preclude the use of GPS devices that provide real-time location data, such as vessel monitoring systems (VMS).

Why are the new requirements necessary?

• Trip level reporting would allow better monitoring of recreational annual catch limits, which would be expected to provide more timely and efficient management of recreational fishing seasons. 
• The trip-level reporting would help improve population assessments by providing a more accurate record of for-hire vessel landings and data associated with the fishing locations. 
• The new system would provide a history of landings for each vessel, which could help improve economic analyses for proposed Council actions.  
• The data could also be used in determining the costs of seasonal closures and disasters such as hurricanes or red tide events.
• Hail-outs and tracking devices are expected to provide better data on fishing effort (number of trips) and allow for better enforcement of fishing regulations.

Who would be required to submit fishing records electronically?

• Owners or operators of vessels that have a federal Gulf Charter Vessel /Headboat permit for Reef Fish or a Gulf Charter Vessel/Headboat permit for Coastal Migratory Pelagics would be required to submit trip-level electronic reports through NOAA Fisheries approved software and hardware.
  • Approved hardware could include electronic devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, and VMS units that allow for internet access and are capable of operating approved software.
  • NOAA Fisheries is currently evaluating potential software for the program and is considering the use of existing software applications already being used by partners in the region.
  • Approved hardware and software would be posted on the Southeast Regional Office’s website upon publication of the final rule.
• Reporting would be required regardless of where fishing occurs, including other regions and state waters.
• A proposed rule addressing reporting requirements for the owners and operators of federally-permitted for-hire vessels in the South Atlantic indicates that if a vessel has both a South Atlantic and a Gulf for-hire permit, the owner or operator could meet the South Atlantic reporting requirement by complying with Gulf of Mexico requirements. This is intended to reduce duplicate reporting.

Is a report required if I don’t go fishing?

• If you leave the dock, you will be required to hail-out declaring your trip as a non for-hire trip, for example private recreational fishing, sunset cruise, other.
• If your vessel remains at the dock, no reporting would be required; the GPS or VMS unit will inform NMFS of the vessel’s location.

What if I don’t submit fishing records on time?

• For-hire vessel owners and operators who are delinquent in submitting their reports are prohibited from continuing to harvest and possess Gulf reef fish or coastal migratory pelagic fish, as applicable, until they have submitted all required reports. 
• Federal for-hire permits would not be renewed until all required reports are submitted.
• Reporting violations would be subject to NOAA Policy for Assessment of Penalties and Permit Sanctions.     

http://www.gc.noaa.gov/documents/Penalty%20Policy_FINAL_07012014_combo.pdf.

Why is a tracking device required?

• A vessel tracking device such as a GPS or VMS unit will provide validation of the vessel leaving the dock, and a potential fishing trip.
• Fishing locations provide scientists valuable information that can be used in scientific analysis and population assessments to manage fish stocks and fishing seasons.

What type of GPS device would be required?

• The GPS unit would be required to, at a minimum, archive location information.  Real-time devices, such as VMS, could also meet this requirement.
• The GPS or VMS unit must be permanently affixed to the vessel.
• Currently NOAA Fisheries has a list of Type-Approved VMS Units that will be evaluated to determine if these systems meet the new reporting requirements.  http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/about/our_programs/vessel_monitoring.html.
• The final rule will provide a list of NOAA Fisheries approved devices.
• A vessel with a commercial reef fish permit is currently required to have a VMS unit. Vessels with both commercial and charter/headboat permits should be able to use the same system for both types of fishing trips.  However, VMS units will still need to be evaluated by NOAA Fisheries for approval and vendors will possibly need to upgrade their systems to meet the new reporting requirements.

When would the requirements be effective?

• NOAA Fisheries is designing the new for-hire electronic reporting system, exploring options for hardware and software, and developing outreach materials.
• Upon approval of the final rule, NOAA Fisheries anticipates the earliest the system would be ready would be sometime in 2019. Also, the requirements for hail-outs, fishing reports, and location tracking devices may be implemented at different times.
• The effective dates would be included in the final rule.

Where can I find more information about the amendment?

• The For-Hire Electronic Reporting Amendment is available on line at:
  • NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Web site: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/gulf-mexico-modifications-charter-vessel-and-headboat-reporting-requirements
  • Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Web site: http://www.gulfcouncil.org/.

Any questions regarding reporting requirements should be directed to the Southeast Regional Office, Saint Petersburg, Florida at 727-824-5305.