October 1, 2013 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:
NOAA Fisheries Offices are closed due to the lapse in appropriations. However, to ensure accurate monitoring of catch limits, fishermen, groundfish sector managers and seafood dealers are still required to submit catch and seafood purchase reports as required under various federal fishery management plans.
The following systems will be operational to submit this information: the Pre-Trip Notification System (PTNS), Fish-on-Line, SIMM and dealer reporting systems (e.g, SAFIS file upload and trip ticket). While the enforcement of fishery and protected resources regulations by Office of Law Enforcement field personnel and the random assignment of fishery observers if required under Federal Fishery Management Plans are excepted functions and will not be affected by this, the furlough of all support staff may affect the speed and efficacy of all Fisheries functions and programs.