Developing For-Hire Electronic Logbooks: The MRIP Road Map

Developing For-Hire Electronic Logbooks: The MRIP Road Map (PDF, 2 pages) describes the Marine Recreational Information Program's efforts to replace the random sampling of charter vessels with a complete census of all for-hire trips, as reported by vessel operators through electronic logbooks. It includes a history of supporting pilot studies, a summary of the characteristics that are necessary for a census-based electronic logbook program to be successful, and a timeline of tasks that will move us toward our goal.

Progress Toward the Road Map

The development, certification, and implementation of for-hire electronic trip reporting programs remains a Marine Recreational Information Program priority. While we have had to adjust certain aspects of our timeline, we completed the certification of Mississippi's Tails n' Scales and Alabama's Snapper Check in 2018. As documented in our 2022 MRIP Implementation Plan Update (PDF, 15 pages), we continue to support:

• The development of a comprehensive for-hire data collection program for the Atlantic coast that will increase the use of electronic logbooks and reduce overall reporting burden.
• The implementation of a validation survey for the Southeast For-hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program, which mandates the use of electronic logbooks for federally permitted for-hire vessels in the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.