July 17, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries is proposing a recommendation from both the Mid-Atlantic and New England Fishery Management Councils to require federally permitted commercial fishing vessels to submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours of the end of a trip.
Upon request of the New England Council, we are also proposing to extend this requirement to vessels issued for-hire (charter/party) permits for New England Council-managed fisheries (i.e., Northeast multispecies). Vessels issued a Mid-Atlantic Council for-hire permit have been required to submit vessel trip reports electronically since March 2019. Note, reporting requirements for vessels issued only a federal lobster permit are being addressed in a separate rulemaking.
For more details, please read the rule as filed in the Federal Register. Comments must be submitted by August 17, 2020 through our online e-rulemaking portal.