Northeast Region Logbooks

AFISHING VESSEL TRIP REPORT@ REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS

The following instructions have been compiled to aid the owner/operators of federally-permitted vessels in completing Fishing Vessel Trip Reports (FVTR). These instructions include new reporting requirements, revisions to past reporting instructions, and answers to commonly asked questions and issues raised by industry. Step by step instructions on how to complete the individual fields begin on page 5 of this instruction packet.

Using one logbook design to capture data from numerous fisheries has significant benefits, such as minimizing the number of vessel logs that a reporter needs to maintain and submit. Incorporating fishery specific instructions to address certain data elements, particularly those capturing gear and effort data, is a necessity of using a single logbook design. As a result, reporters should carefully review the detailed instructions, as they pertain to their particular fishing methods, to ensure that fishing activity is accurately and consistently recorded. Gear and effort data for gillnet, longline, and pot trips are examples of information that have been difficult to accurately capture on the FVTR. To assist in the accurate completion of these fields please refer to page 5 for field #10 and page 6, for fields #11 and #15. Examples are also located on page 8 for gillnet and pots. NEW: In response to industry, a mechanism has been provided to record data on total number of pots fished. The size of gear, field #11 will now be used to record the total number of pots in the water. The type of construction for pots will no longer be captured on the FVTR.

The owner/operator of a vessel issued a federal fishery permit with FVTR requirements is required to submit FVTRs for each trip taken. A new report page is necessary if there is any change in gear type, area fished, or mesh/ring size. The reporting requirements apply to those trips occurring in either federal or state waters, regardless of species fished for or retained. In essence, a vessel holding a federal fishery permit must report all of its activity, even if not fishing for a permitted species. For example, if a vessel holds a multispecies permit and is only fishing for lobster or tuna, the owner/operator must submit a FVTR for each trip the vessel makes in these fisheries. Having an observer present for a trip does not relieve you of this responsibility.

Please fill out FVTRs in blue or black ink only and be sure they are legible. Reports completed in pencil are unable to be processed and will be returned to the submitter to be completed in blue or black ink.

All fields must be completed on the FVTR, including signature and date. Incomplete FVTRs will be returned to the vessel owner for completion.

NEW PROTECTED SPECIES MANDATORY REPORTING

Incidental takes of sea turtles that occur during commercial fishing activities must be reported on the FVTR. This information will be used to assess the distribution, seasonality, and level of sea turtle bycatch in commercial fishing operations to better protect these species, as required by the Endangered Species Act of 1973. For additional information, contact the Protected Resources Division, Northeast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service, Gloucester, MA 01930, (978) 281-9328.

To report turtles incidentally caught, injured or killed, enter the species code for each turtle under the species code name column (#17) on the FVTR. The turtle species codes are found in Table 6, SPECIES CODE NAME. Enter the actual number (count) of sea turtles caught in the discard column (#19). Under the dealer name column (#21), comment on the condition of the sea turtles (e.g., alive, injured, or dead).

COMMON QUESTIONS and ISSUES

QUESTION: If I change gear, mesh size, or area fished during a trip, how do I document the trip?

ANSWER: Complete a separate report page for any change in gear type, mesh size or chart area.

QUESTION: I hold several federal permits. Do I have to complete more than one FVTR per trip?

ANSWER: No. Only one report is required for each trip regardless of how many permits a vessel holds.

QUESTION: Do I have to complete a report if I am going out just to set gear?

ANSWER: No. FVTRs do not have to be completed if the vessel only sets gear, returned to port prior to engaging in any fishing activity (e.g., mechanical break down, bad weather) or if the vessel is fishing recreationally (i.e., not for commercial purposes which includes party or charter vessels taking fishers for hire).

QUESTION: What if I do not land any fish on a trip?

ANSWER: If no species are landed, complete all of the trip information and gear information fields and enter No Catch or NC in the species code name column (#17).

QUESTION: If I send in several reports at one time, do I have to sign and date every report?

ANSWER: Yes. All FVTRs must be signed and dated or they will be returned to you for completion.

QUESTION: My vessel engages in dayboat fishing, why do I have to complete the date four times on a report?

ANSWER: All fields that require a date or time must be completed for the following reasons:

 Date/Time Sailed field (#4) and Date/Time Landed field (#24) are necessary to determine the length of the trip.

 Date sold column (#22) is needed to ensure the FVTR data coincides with the landing data reported by the dealer.

 Signature Date field (#26) is required to certify that the information provided on the FVTR is true, complete and correct to the best of the owner/operator's knowledge.

QUESTION: Why are there so many copies of the FVTR?

ANSWER: The white copy of the FVTR is submitted to NMFS and the yellow copy should be retained for your own records. The blue copy is for your State agency. Contact your State fisheries agency to determine if the blue copy is required. If necessary, the green or goldenrod copies may be submitted to the dealer(s) to whom you sold your catch so dealer and vessel data can be verified.

QUESTION: My supply of FVTRs is getting low. How do I get more?

ANSWER: FVTRs can be obtained by mailing in the pink renewal form contained in each logbook package to the NMFS address below. You may also obtain FVTRs by contacting the NMFS Data Center office staff, either in person, or by telephone at (978) 281-9246 or by contacting your local NMFS Field Office.

QUESTION: How long do I have to keep copies of my logbook and where should it be stored?

ANSWER: FVTRs and any records upon which the reports were based must be kept on board the vessel for at least one year and retained by the owner/operator for a total of three years after the date of the last entry on the report.

DID NOT FISH REPORTS

If a vessel did not fish for an entire calendar month, it is necessary to submit a ADID NOT FISH@ report. Only one such trip report is needed per month regardless of the number of permits held. To correctly file a ADID NOT FISH@ report, complete the following steps on the FVTR:

*Record the month and year in the ADID NOT FISH@ section at the top of the form.

*Fill in the vessel name, USCG documentation or state registration number, and NMFS Northeast Region vessel permit number where indicated.

*Sign and date the form on the lines designated at the bottom of the form.

SUBMISSION OF REPORTS:

FVTRs must be received or postmarked by the 15^th of the following month from which the trip landed (e.g., trips landing in June are due by July 15). All vessels issued a federal NorthEast multispecies permit are now required to submit VTRs on a weekly basis. VTRs, including “did not fish” reports, must be submitted by midnight of the first Tuesday following the reporting week (i.e., Sunday through Saturday) in which fish were offloaded.  Any fishing activity during a reporting week, including starting a trip, landing, or offloading catch, counts as fishing during that reporting week and eliminates the need to submit a “did not fish” report for that week. Submit the white original to:

NMFS

Fishery Data Center

55 Great Republic Drive

Gloucester, MA 01930

If you have any questions regarding the FVTRs, please call NMFS at (978) 281-9246.

The National Marine Fisheries Service requires this information for the conservation and management of marine fishery resources in accordance with the Magnuson-

Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. The data reported will be used to develop, implement, and monitor fishery management strategies and for a variety of other uses. Submission is mandatory for those persons falling under the requirements of 50 CFR 648.7 (b). All data submitted will be handled as Confidential material in accordance with NOAA Administrative Orders. Public reporting burden for the survey is estimated to average 5 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing this burden, to NMFS, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS

1. VESSEL NAME: Enter the name of your vessel. If vessel does not have a name, please respond by writing in Aunnamed.@

2. USCG DOC. or STATE REG. NO: Enter the official documentation number of your vessel or if your vessel is not documented with the Coast Guard, enter the state registration number of your vessel. USCG documentation numbers usually begin with either a 2, 5, 6, or 9. State registration numbers begin with a two letter abbreviation for your state (e.g. ME for Maine).

3. VESSEL PERMIT NUMBER: Federally-permitted vessels enter the six digit number written on the fishing permit issued to your vessel by NMFS, Northeast Regional Office, Gloucester, Massachusetts. State-permitted vessels not holding a federal permit should leave this field blank.

4. DATE/TIME SAILED: Enter the month, day, year and time (using the 24 hour clock/military time) you sailed. For example, January 1, 2002 at 4:15 PM should be recorded as 1/1/02 for date and 16:15 for time. This entry does not need to reflect a vessel's days-at-sea call-out information.

5. TRIP TYPE: Check the box for the appropriate trip type - commercial, party or charter.

6. No. of CREW: Enter the total number of crew members, including the captain. Party/Charter vessels should include all crew members or employees on board for the trip.

7. No. of ANGLERS: This field is to be completed for party/charter trips only. Enter the total number of anglers, excluding the vessel's crew.

NOTE: For each gear, chart area or mesh/ring size fished for a trip, a new REPORT PAGE must be completed.

8. GEAR FISHED: Enter the code for the gear fished. Use the three letter codes in Table 4, CODES FOR GEAR FISHED. If more than one gear type was used during this trip, a separate report page must be completed for each gear. If you are fishing with a gear not provided in TABLE 4, write in the gear type.

9. MESH RING/SIZE: Enter mesh/ring size of the gear being fished. Use the definitions in Table 5, "Gear Quantity, Size and Mesh/Ring Specifications" to determine the information to enter in this field for each gear type.

If more than one mesh/ring size was used in a haul (for example, multiple mesh sizes in a string of gillnets), enter the average per haul. If you changed mesh/ring size during this trip (for example, changing from a large mesh trawl to a small mesh trawl), complete a separate report page for each mesh/ring size used. Pot fishers should enter the size of the entrance to the pot (hoop, ring or opening size).

10. QUANTITY OF GEAR: Enter the quantity of gear being fished per haul. Use the definitions in Table 5, "Gear Quantity, Size and Mesh/Ring Specifications" to determine the information to enter in this field for each gear type. If more than one of this gear type was used during the trip, enter the average quantity of gear used per haul. Rod and reel (handline, jig) should enter the total number of hooks used.

11. SIZE OF GEAR: Enter size of the gear being fished. Use the definitions in Table 5, "Gear Quantity, Size and Mesh/Ring Specifications" to determine the information to enter in this field for each gear type. If several gear sizes were used, enter the average gear size used per haul. Pot fishers should enter the number of pots in the water.

12. CHART AREA: Enter the three digit area fished from the charts supplied. If fishing south of the area depicted on chart #8, enter 799; if fishing east of charts 1, 2, 4, or 8, enter 899. If more than one chart area from charts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or 9 was fished during this trip, a separate report page for each area must be completed. If fishing in the areas found on the inshore charts for MA, RI, CT, and NY state waters, use the codes supplied on the inshore charts. Note: Do not fill out a separate trip report if fished in more than one inshore chart area, as long as they are within the same offshore area.

13. AVG DEPTH: Enter the average depth fished in fathoms.

14. LATITUDE/LONGITUDE or LORAN: Enter a single set of latitude and longitude bearings (degrees and minutes) where most of your fishing effort occurred in the chart area; or enter the 5 digit LORAN cross bearings where most of your fishing effort occurred in the chart area. If multiple bearings are fished, record the center point of the bearings.

15. No. of HAULS: Enter the total number of tows, sets, or strings you hauled or lifted. Harpoon gear, enter the number of throws.

16. AVERAGE TOW/SOAK TIME: Enter the total estimated amount of time fishing (hours and minutes), not including travel time.

Table 1.

Mobile Gear (trawls, dredges, etc.): Tow time is defined as from the time the gear is completely hooked up to when the gear is completely hauled back.

Fixed Gear (gillnets, long lines, pots, etc.): Soak time is defined as from when the first piece of gear is deployed until the last piece of gear is hauled back.

Rod and Reel / Handline: Enter the average time (hours and minutes) lines were actually fishing. Not to include travel time.

Diving: Enter dive time.

Harpoons: Enter the total amount of time spent searching for targeted species.

17. SPECIES CODE NAME: Enter the code of each species caught during this trip. Use the three to five letter codes found in Table 6, SPECIES CODE NAME. If other species were caught that are not provided on TABLE 6, write in the species name.

18. KEPT:

POUNDS (Comm): For commercial trips, enter hail weight of each species kept for this report page.

COUNT (Rec): For recreational trips (party/charter), enter the count of each species kept for this report page.

19. DISCARDED:

POUNDS (Comm): For commercial trips, enter hail weight of each species discarded for this report page.

COUNT (Rec): For recreational trips (party/charter), enter the count of each species discarded for this report page.

20. DEALER PERMIT NO.: Enter the NMFS Northeast Region permit number issued to each dealer purchasing your catch. If all species for the trip are sold to the same dealer, only enter the dealer number for the first species and draw a line down through the following DEALER PERMIT No. lines. Do not enter State or NMFS Southeast Region permit numbers.

If a species, or a portion of the catch of a species, landed is not sold to a federally-permitted dealer, enter the appropriate code listed below:

Table 2.

CODES DEFINITION

99998 Used for home consumption

00001 Seized for violations

00002 Sold to another vessel for bait, or retained for bait

00003 IWP/JV transfer (enter the vessel name in the dealer

name field)

00004 Future Sale (do not report this catch on a future FVTR)

21. DEALER NAME: Enter the name of the dealer who purchased each species of your catch for this trip. If all species for the trip are sold to the same dealer, only enter the dealer name for the first species and draw a line down through the following DEALER NAME lines.

22. DATE SOLD: Enter the month, day and year that each species of your catch for this trip was sold or otherwise disposed of. If all species for the trip are sold on the same date, only enter the date sold for the first species and draw a line down through the following DATE SOLD lines.

23. PORT AND STATE LANDED: Enter the name of the port and state where any offloading of catch occurs and/or trip was completed. Up to two (2) ports may be entered.

24. DATE LANDED/TIME LANDED: Enter the month, day, year and time (using the 24 hour clock/military time) you arrived in each port listed. For example, January 1, 2002 at 4:15 PM should be recorded as 1/1/02 for date and 16:15 for time. This entry does not need to reflect a vessel's days-at-sea call-out information.

25. OPERATOR'S NAME & PERMIT NUMBER: Print your name and your NMFS Operator's Permit Number. This is the 8 digit number on the operator's permit issued by NMFS/NERO Permit Office.

26. OPERATOR'S SIGNATURE/DATE: Signature of the vessel operator, Captain or person responsible for the truth and accuracy of the FVTR, and the date the report was signed.

FOR INFORMATION ONLY:

To effectively gauge fishing effort, relative to gear type, it is critical that the gear and effort information (boxes #8-11 and 15-16) be filled out as

accurately as possible. Listed in Table 3 are reminders to aid in the correct

reporting of certain gear types.

Table 3.

Trawls - For >Size of Gear= enter only one length, the sweep length

in feet (sweep length refers to footrope length).

Dredge - For >Mesh/Ring Size= enter only the ring size. An example is a scallop dredge which contains a 5.5" mesh and a 3.25" ring size. The FVTR entry for >Mesh/Ring Size= would be 3.25".

Gillnet - >Quantity of Gear= is entered as the average number of nets per string, and >Size of Gear= is entered as the average length of the nets used in a string rather than the entire string. A string 3000' in total length might typically consist of 10 nets (Quantity of Gear) with an average length of 300' (Size of Gear). Record gear size in feet. For >No. of Hauls= enter the number of strings hauled per trip.

Pots - >Quantity of Gear= is the average number of pots per string, and >Size of Gear= is the number of pots in the water. For >No. of Hauls= enter the number of strings hauled per trip.

Harpoons - >Quantity of Gear= is the number of harpoons rigged for use on a trip. >Number of Hauls= is the number of throws made per trip. For >Tow/Soak Time=, enter the total amount of time spent searching for the targeted species.

Below is an example of how the information requested may be used to determine effort:

Gillnet

Amount of gear fished = QUANTITY OF GEAR x SIZE OF GEAR x NO. OF HAULS

Example = 10 nets x 300 ft x 4 hauls(strings) = 12000 units

Pots

Amount of gear fished = QUANTITY OF GEAR x NO. OF HAULS

Example = 5 pots per string x 40 strings hauled = 200 units

When the >Average Tow/Soak Time= is combined with the >Amount of gear fished=,

an overall fishing effort can be determined for any individual gear type.

Please note that the methods to quantify fishing effort vary among gear and fishery types, and these examples are intended only to illustrate the necessity of thorough data collection.

TABLE 4. CODES FOR GEAR FISHED

TRAWLS DREDGES

OTB OTTER TRAWL, BEAM DRC DREDGE, OCEAN QUAHOG/SURF CLAM

OTC OTTER TRAWL, BOTTOM, SCALLOP DRM DREDGE, MUSSEL

OTF OTTER TRAWL, BOTTOM, FISH DRS DREDGE, SCALLOP

OTM OTTER TRAWL, MIDWATER DRU URCHIN OTS OTTER TRAWL, SHRIMP

PTB PAIR TRAWL, BOTTOM HOOK AND LINE

PTM PAIR TRAWL, MIDWATER LLB LONGLINE/TUB TRAWL, BOTTOM

PUR PURSE SEINE LLP LONGLINE, PELAGIC

SED DANISH SEINE HND HAND LINE/ROD & REEL

SES SCOTTISH SEINE

STS STOP SEINE

POTS and TRAPS

PTC POT, CRAB

GILLNETS PTF POT, FISH (Sea Bass, etc.)

PTH POT, BARRELS (Hag) GND GILLNET, DRIFT PTL POT, LOBSTER

GNR GILLNET, RUNAROUND PTS POT, SHRIMP

GNS GILLNET, SINK PTW POT, CONCH

(groundfish, dogfish, etc.) TRP TRAP (Fish) WEI WEIR

OTHER

DIV DIVING

HRP HARPOON

RAK HAND RAKE

CST CAST NET

FYK FYKE NET

TABLE 6. SPECIES CODE NAME

GROUNDFISH

COD COD

CUSK CUSK

HADD HADDOCK

RHAK HAKE, RED/LING

SHAK HAKE, SILVER / WHITING

WHAK HAKE, WHITE

MONK MONKFISH/ANGLERFISH/GOOSEFISH

MONKL MONKFISH LIVER

MONKT MONKFISH TAILS

CAT OCEAN CATFISH / WOLFISH

POUT OCEAN POUT

POLL POLLOCK

RED REDFISH / OCEAN PERCH

FLOUNDERS

FLDAB AMERICAN PLAICE / SEA DAB

FLBB BLACKBACK / WINTER / CHANNEL

FLSOU FLOUNDER, SOUTHERN

FLFSP FOURSPOT

FLGS GRAY SOLE /WITCH

FLSD SAND DAB / WINDOWPANE / BRILL

FLUKE SUMMER / FLUKE

FLYT YELLOWTAIL

HAL HALIBUT, ATLANTIC

HALG HALIBUT, GREENLAND

OTHER FINFISH - NORTHERN

BBR BLACK BELLIED ROSEFISH

BSB BLACK SEA BASS

CUN CUNNER

JDO JOHN DORY

LUMP LUMPFISH

PERW PERCH, WHITE

PUF PUFFER, NORTHERN

RPG RED PORGY

RSC ROUGH SCAD

SCUP SCUP / PORGY

SCUL SCULPINS

SPOT SPOT

SRAV SEA RAVEN

SROB SEA ROBINS

SIL SILVERSIDES, ATLANTIC

STB STRIPED BASS / ROCKFISH

STUR STURGEON, ATLANTIC

STSN STURGEON, SHORT-NOSE

TAU TAUTOG

TILEB BLUELINE TILEFISH

TILEG GOLDEN TILEFISH

TILES SAND TILEFISH

TOAD TOADFISH, OYSTER

WHB WHITING, BLACK

SKATE SKATE / RAJA

SKATW SKATE WINGS

HAG HAGFISH

PELAGIC SPECIES

ALWF ALEWIFE

BLU BLUEFISH

BON BONITO

BUT BUTTERFISH

HARV HARVEST FISH

HERR HERRING, ATLANTIC

HRBB HERRING, BLUE BACK

MEN MENHADEN

ESC ESCOLAR

MACK MACKEREL, ATLANTIC

MACC MACKEREL, CHUB

FRI MACKEREL,FRIGATE, BOO HOO

KGM MACKEREL, KING

SSM MACKEREL, SPANISH

SHAD SHAD, AMERICAN

SHDG SHAD, GIZZARD

SHDH SHAD, HICKORY

SMLT SMELT

DOL DOLPHIN FISH/MAHI-MAHI

BUM MARLIN BLUE

WHM MARLIN WHITE

SUN OCEAN SUNFISH

SWO SWORDFISH

OPAH OPAH / MOONFISH

SHARKS

DGCH DOGFISH, CHAIN

DGSM DOGFISH, SMOOTH

DGSP DOGFISH, SPINY

SHBA BASKING

SHBN BIGNOSE

SHBT BLACK TIP

SHBL BLUE

SHBU BULL

SHDU DUSKY

SHHA HAMMERHEAD

SHLE LEMON

SHML MAKO LONGFIN

SHMS MAKO SHORTFIN

SHNI NIGHT

SHNU NURSE

SHPB PORBEAGLE

SHSB SANDBAR

SHST SAND TIGER

SHSN SHARPNOSE

SHSI SILKY

SHSP SPINNER

SHTH THRESHER

SHTB THRESHER, BIGEYE

SHTI TIGER

SHWH WHITE

SHWT WHITETIP

TABLE 6. SPECIES CODE NAME (continued)

OTHER FINFISH - SOUTHERN

BARRA BARRACUDA

COBIA COBIA

CREV CREVALLE

CRO CROAKER, ATLANTIC

DRUMB DRUM, BLACK

DRUMR DRUM, RED

GAR GARFISH

GRPR GROUPER - OTHER

GRPSN GROUPER, SNOWY

GRUNT GRUNT

HGF HOGFISH

LADY LADYFISH

MUL MULLETS

PERSA PERCH, SAND

PIG PIGFISH

POM POMPANO, COMMON

RIB RIBBONFISH

RUNB BLUE RUNNER

SHEEP SHEEPSHEAD

SNAP SNAPPER, OTHER

SNAPR SNAPPER, RED

SNAPV SNAPPER, VERMILLION

SPADE SPADEFISH

SQRF SQUIRRELFISH

TRIG TRIGGERFISH

WAH WAHOO

WKSQ WEAKFISH / SQUETEAGUE / GRAY

SEA TROUT

WKSP WEAKFISH, SPOTTED

WHK WHITING, KING / KINGFISH

SHELLFISH

CLA CLAM, ARTIC SURF

CLH CLAM, HARD, BAY QUAHOG

CLR CLAM, RAZOR

CLSO CLAM, SOFT

CLSU CLAM, SURF

CLQU QUAHOG, OCEAN

CRB CRAB, BLUE

CRC CRAB, CANCER

CRG CRAB, GREEN

CRHS CRAB, HORSESHOE

CRJ CRAB, JONAH

CRQS CRAB, QUEEN SNOW

CRRD CRAB, RED

CRRK CRAB, ROCK

CRSP CRAB, SPIDER

LOB LOBSTER

SHRM SHRIMP, MANTIS

SHR SHRIMP, PANDALID

SHRP SHRIMP, PENAEID

SHELLFISH (continued)

SCB SCALLOP, BAY

SCC SCALLOP, CALICO

SCI SCALLOP, ICELANDIC

SCAL SCALLOP, SEA

WHKC WHELK, CHANNELED

WHKN WHELK, KNOBBED

WHKL WHELK, LIGHTNING

WHKNS CONCH, NON-SPECIFIED

OYS OYSTER

MUS MUSSELS

TUNAS

ALB ALBACORE

AMB AMBERJACK

BET BIG EYE

BFT BLUEFIN

BLKFT BLACKFIN

LTA LITTLE

SKJ SKIPJACK

YFT YELLOWFIN

EELA EEL, AMERICAN

EELC EEL, CONGER

INVERTEBRATES

OCT OCTOPUS

CUC SEA CUCUMBERS

URCH SEA URCHINS

SQI SQUID, ILLEX

SQL SQUID, LOLIGO

STAR STARFISH

SEA TURTLES

LOTU LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE

LETU LEATHERBACK SEA TURTLE

RITU KEMP'S RIDLEY SEA TURTLE

GRTU GREEN SEA TURTLE

HATU HAWKSBILL SEA TURTLE

UNTU UNIDENTIFIED SEA TURTLE

2