Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program

Contact Information

• Customer Support Toll Free: 1-833-707-1632
• Customer Support Email:  ser.electronicreporting@noaa.gov

Background

The Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting (SEFHIER) program implements electronic reporting of for-hire vessel catch data for nearly 2,000 vessels in the South Atlantic.  The purpose of this program is to provide more accurate and reliable fisheries information about for-hire catch, effort, and discards.  Fishermen provide data that are critical to population assessments and better fisheries management.  Electronic reporting can also provide more timely, accurate, and reliable information for species that have low catches, small annual catch limits, or are rarely encountered. 

The links below provide information on the program and how to remain in compliance with the requirements.  We recommend you review the links below and reach out to us directly with questions.

• Additional Information
  • Summary Report on the Quality Management Workshop for the For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Requirements in the Southeast Region
  • Southeast Region For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Development Plan 2019
  • South Atlantic Proposed and Final Rule, and Fishery Bulletins
  • Past SEFHIER Fishery Bulletins
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Informational Video 1:  Introduction to the Southeast For Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program Requirements
  • Informational Video 2:  Getting Started with Electronic Reporting

Getting Set Up to Report

• Information for South Atlantic Permit Holders
  • Approved Software 
    • eTrips support page: User Instructions
    • VESL support page: Bluefin Data Help Center
  • Guides and Tools
    • Informational Toolkit
    • Compliance Guide: a compact, travel friendly guide for staying in compliance with the SEFHIER program
• Information for Vessels with Multiple Permits 
• Information for Gulf of Mexico Permit Holders
  • On February 23, 2023, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit set aside the final rule implementing the Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf).  This means the Gulf program is currently not in effect.  The ruling does not affect the South Atlantic SEFHIER program.
  • If you have both South Atlantic and Gulf federal for-hire permits, you must follow the South Atlantic reporting requirements.
  • NOAA Fisheries Update: Court of Appeals Decision on the Gulf of Mexico Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program Lawsuit
  • The Gulf Council is actively developing an Amendment to stand back up some portion of the Gulf SEFHIER program, which is anticipated to be finalized sometime in 2025.

Information for Vendors

This page provides documents about the requirements and specifications to be an approved software or hardware vendor for the South Atlantic Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting program.