NOAA Fisheries Seeks Comments on Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Electronic Reporting Requirements

NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule to modify or expand reporting requirements for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS).

What it Will Do

In this action, NOAA Fisheries proposes to:

  • Require vessel owners, who currently report in existing paper commercial logbooks (Atlantic HMS logbook and Southeast Coastal Fisheries Logbook Program), to report electronically.

  • Implement new logbook requirements for vessel owners holding HMS Charter/Headboat permits or Atlantic Tunas General category permits, Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permits, and/or Swordfish General Commercial permits.

  • Modify reporting options for private recreational vessel owners holding HMS Angling permits.

  • Require HMS dealers to report individual fish weights for additional species (bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas, swordfish, and pelagic sharks).

  • Make technical changes to clarify HMS regulations.

Who it Affects

  • Any vessel owner or operator, angler, or dealer handling HMS.

Public Hearing Webinar Schedule

  • October 16, 2024, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. ET

  • October 29, 2024, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. ET

  • December 2, 2024, 9 a.m.-11 a.m. ET

To register for the webinars, click the Learn More link below.

Comments

Public comments will be accepted from September 6, 2024 to January 6, 2025.

Questions

Contact Carrie Soltanoff (carrie.soltanoff@noaa.gov) (301) 427-8503