Meeting multiple fishing permit requirements for the Southeast and other For-Hire programs

Reporting Across Fisheries

You must meet the reporting requirements for all of your permits.  Some software reporting applications will allow you to submit one report for different permit combinations.  To ensure you are using the right software application for your specific combination of permits, please refer to the table of approved software under the “Approved Software”  section of the program website.

South Atlantic/Atlantic For-Hire Permits: Who is Required to Report?

Owners or operators of vessels that have a South Atlantic/Atlantic issued federal Charter/Headboat permit. 

• South Atlantic Charter/Headboat for Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fish permit (CHS)
• Atlantic Charter/Headboat for Dolphin/Wahoo permit (CDW)
• South Atlantic Charter/Headboat for Snapper-Grouper Fish permit (SC)

Reporting is now required for all charter/headboat trips, regardless of where fishing occurs, including other regional or state waters. 

How to report if you have South Atlantic/Atlantic AND any of the following federal for-hire permits:

Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) Charter/Headboat Permits

For vessels with both Gulf and South Atlantic/Atlantic federal for-hire permits, you will follow the South Atlantic regulations, no matter where you fish.  The Gulf reporting requirements are not currently in effect.

Greater Atlantic Region Fisheries Office For-Hire Permits

Individuals with Greater Atlantic Region Fisheries Office (GARFO) and South Atlantic/Atlantic charter/headboat federal for-hire permits must submit the information required by both regions, but under the timing required by GARFO (48 hours of the trip).  If you are currently reporting to GARFO on a software application that is not approved for use in the South Atlantic SEFHIER program, you will need to submit multiple reports.  Some of the approved software may allow you to use one report to fulfill GARFO and SEFHIER requirements.  Check the “Approved Software” section of website for which applications are approved for GARFO and South Atlantic SEFHIER.

Highly Migratory Species For-Hire Permits

If you have both a South Atlantic/Atlantic charter/headboat permit and a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit, you are required to report certain HMS species within 24 hours to remain in compliance with federal HMS regulations.  If you are currently reporting to the HMS program on a software application that is not approved for use in the South Atlantic SEFHIER program or vice versa, you will need to submit multiple reports.  Some software applications are approved for the SEFHIER and HMS programs and will allow you to submit one report to satisfy the requirements of federal HMS regulations.  Check the “Approved Software” section of the website for which applications are approved for SEFHIER and HMS.

Southeast Region Headboat Survey (SRHS)

If you are selected to participate in, or already report to the Southeast Region Headboat Survey (SRHS) and you hold a federal South Atlantic/Atlantic for-hire permit, you must use the VESL software and select the SRHS form.  This also fulfills the SEFHIER reporting requirements.  Your reports will be due by the Tuesday following the fishing week (Mon-Sun).

South Carolina Charter Vessels

If you have a federal South Atlantic/Atlantic Charter/Headboat for-hire permit and a South Carolina Charter Fishing Vessel License, you may continue to report using VESL software and will not need to submit an additional report.  Reports through VESL, submitted weekly, will satisfy the requirements of both programs.

More Information

• Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program
• Permits and Forms
• Vessels with Permits Across NOAA Fisheries Regions or With the State of South Carolina