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For-Hire Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting

Since March 2018, all for-hire (party and charter) vessels that hold federal permits for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) have been required to submit VTRs electronically within 48 hours of completing their trip. These eVTRs must be submitted through a NOAA-approved eVTR software application within 48 hours of reaching port following the end of a fishing trip. This regulation applies to all vessels with these permits, including those outside of the Mid-Atlantic region, regardless of where they are fishing when carrying passengers for hire.

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South Atlantic Update (December 2020): Since January 2021 all fishermen with Atlantic federal charter/head­boat permits for Snapper-Grouper, Coastal Migratory Pelagics, and Dolphin/Wahoo issued by NOAA’s Southeast Regional Office (SERO) have been required to electronically report their fishing effort and landings through the NOAA Fisheries Southeast For-Hire Electronic Reporting Program. These changes affect some for-hire operators in the Greater Atlantic region who also possess SERO charter/headboat permits. Learn more here or check out the South Atlantic Electronic Reporting Toolkit.

Getting Started

eVTR Software Options

For-hire vessel operators can choose between several NMFS-approved eVTR applications. Information about approved applications and other aspects of electronic reporting is available on the NOAA Fisheries Vessel Trip Reporting in the Greater Atlantic Region web page. Many operators have chosen the SAFIS eTrips/mobile 2 or the NOAA Fish Online programs.

To Obtain an eVTR Password

All vessel operators who will be completing an eVTR must obtain a confidential password that will serve as an electronic signature and is required when submitting an eVTR. To obtain an eVTR password, please contact NOAA Fisheries at (978) 281-9188 or nmfs.gar.helpdesk@noaa.gov.

The only exception is for vessel operators who intend to use SAFIS eTrips as their electronic reporting application, in which case your SAFIS username and password will serve as your electronic signature. To obtain a SAFIS eTrips username and password please call (800) 984-0810 or email SAFIS Support.

Contact

For more information or assistance related to eVTRs, refer to the following contacts:

For questions about specific eVTR  software applications, please see the contacts listed on this page.