Vessel Trip Report - dealer reporting

Greater Atlantic Region

Fishing Vessel Trip Report (VTR)
Reporting Instructions
September 26, 2017

These instructions may be found on the Greater Atlantic Regional Office website under Programs => APSD

VESSEL TRIP REPORTING (VTR) OVERVIEW
If you have any questions regarding these instructions, please don’t hesitate to contact the VTR support team at
(978) 281-9246. This line is heavily used, so if you get voicemail, please leave your name and number—in
most cases, we are able to return calls within one business day.
VTR Requirements by Vessel Permit Type
Permit Type
If a vessel is issued a
permit for:
*Atlantic herring;
*Atlantic mackerel;
*Illex squid;
*Longfin squid/butterfish;
*Northeast multispecies;
*Ocean quahogs:
*Surfclams . . . .

Frequency of Reporting
Then the owner/operator
must submit trip reports
weekly

If a vessel is issued a
permit for:
*Atlantic bluefish
*Atlantic deep-sea red
crab
*Atlantic sea scallop
*Black sea bass
*Monkfish
*Northeast skate
*Scup
*Spiny dogfish
*Summer flounder
*Tilefish . . . .
If a vessel is issued a
permit for American
lobster and no other
Greater Atlantic Region
vessel permit . . . .

Then the owner/operator
must submit trip reports
monthly

Then the owner/operator
is not required to submit
trips reports (check with
your state, which may
require reporting).

Reporting Deadline
Reports must be
postmarked or received
by midnight of the
Tuesday following the
reporting week (Sunday
through Saturday). If a
trip starts in one week,
and offloads in the next, it
should be reported in the
week the catch was
offloaded.
Reports must be
postmarked or received
within 15 days of the end
of the month. If a trip
starts in one month, and
offloads in the next, it
should be reported for the
month in which the catch
was offloaded

--

Defining fishing trip activity that requires a VTR
If your vessel is issued any of the fishery permits with reporting requirements shown in the table above, you are
required to complete a VTR for every fishing trip, whether the vessel is fishing in state or federal waters, or in
another region of the country, such as Gulf of Mexico. This is true for all trips, no matter what species is being
fished for or caught. Having an observer or at-sea monitor on board during a trip does not relieve you from this
requirement.
These instructions clarify that a VTR is required for any trip on a federally permitted vessel when you catch
fish, or when your operations include activities that would support fishing, such as preparing to catch or harvest
fish, or attempting to catch or harvest fish. All such fishing activities must be reported, even if no landings are
made. The trip is the period of time during which these activities are conducted, beginning when the vessel
leaves port and ending when the vessel returns to port.
1

You are required to report fishing trips even if no fish are caught or onboard if the following events
occur:
•

•
•

If you begin a fishing trip, but must return to port before setting or retrieving gear because of issues like
bad weather or mechanical problems, then you must still complete a VTR. In this case, you must
complete the information in VTR Fields 1-6, along with fields 24-27, and enter “No Effort” in the lower
portion of the VTR.
If you make a fishing trip just to set out gear you must still complete a VTR. Complete the information
in VTR fields 1-6, along with fields 24-27, and enter “Set Only” in the lower portion of the VTR.
If you make an unsuccessful trip, and don’t catch any fish, you must still complete a VTR. In this case,
you must complete all of the trip information in VTR Fields 1-16, and enter “No Catch” or “NC” in the
species code field (#17).

There are several instances where a VTR isn’t required for a specific trip:
•
•
•

If you are transiting without any product onboard and don’t engage in any fishing activity. For example, you’re
moving your vessel to a shipyard or you’re returning to your home port.
If you are operating under a scientific Letter of Acknowledgement
If you are operating as a Herring Carrier Vessel

When to complete and submit more than one VTR page
You must complete all of the fields on a new VTR page each time you change your fishing area or gear. This
means a new page is required each time you:
•
•
•

Change the chart area (inshore or offshore) in which you are fishing;
Change the type of gear you are using; or
Change the mesh size or ring size in the gear you are using.

New gear codes
VTR Field #7 requires you to identify the type of gear you used. New codes have been added to the gear code
table (page 7) so that we can get better information about fishing gears. The scallop dredge codes are critical
for evaluating the effectiveness of scallop dredge gear modifications for reducing interactions with sea turtles.
The codes are summarized below:
•
•
•
•
•
•

DRS – this code should be used for the standard scallop dredge
DSC – this code should be used for the standard scallop dredge with chain mat
DTS – this new code should be used for the scallop turtle deflector dredge
DTC – this new code should be used for the scallop turtle deflector dredge with chain mat
OTT – this code should be used for otter trawls (OTF) that are joined together in a “Twin Trawl” configuration.
A “Twin Trawl” refers to two nets that are joined together in the middle as shown in below (Figure 1).
TTS – this code should be used for otter trawls, shrimp (OTS) that are joined together in a “Twin Trawl”
configuration. A “Twin Trawl” refers to two nets that are joined together in the middle as shown in below (Figure
1).

2

How to report when you fish in more than one chart area
If your fishing activity occurs in more than one chart area, you must submit a VTR for each chart area where
you started to haul back or retrieve gear. If your tow or the placement of your fixed gear (for example, gillnets)
crosses chart area boundaries, the area you report must be the area you were in when you started to retrieve or
haul back your gear. For the gear types shown in the gear code table on page 9, this means:
•
•
•
•

For mobile gear (trawl gears and dredges), you report the area where the hauling equipment is put into gear with
the intention of hauling back and retrieving a net or dredge.
For fixed gear (gillnets, longline, pots, traps, and weirs) you report the area where the hauling equipment is put
into gear or retrieval of one end of the set begins.
For purse seine gear, and other seine gears, you report the area where the skiff hits the water upon setting the gear,
or when the first piece of gear hits the water, whichever occurs first.
For handline, rod and reel, and the gears listed as “other gears”, you report the area where the gear is completely
retrieved and aboard the vessel.

For example, if you start a tow in chart area 522, start hauling back in area 525, and land 100 pounds of
monkfish, then all the catch from this tow would be reported in chart area 525.
Protected Species
You must report all species caught (both kept and discarded), including all protected species. To report sea
turtles or ESA-listed fish species (e.g., Atlantic salmon or sturgeon) incidentally caught, injured, or killed, enter
the species code for each turtle or fish under the species code name column (#17) on the VTR. Enter the actual
number (count) of sea turtles or listed fish caught in the discard column (#19). Under the dealer name column
(#21), comment on the condition of the sea turtles or listed fish (e.g., alive, injured, or dead).
When an incidental mortality or injury of a marine mammal (seals, dolphins, porpoises, and whales) occurs
during commercial fishing activities, you must also fill out and return the Marine Mammal Authorization
Program Mortality & Injury Reporting Form within 48 hours of returning from the trip on which the incident
occurred. You may obtain additional information, including a reporting form, by visiting the Greater Atlantic
Region's website or calling (978) 281-9328.

3

The National Marine Fisheries Service requires vessel trip 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 NOAA Fisheries, 55 Great Republic 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.
Privacy Act Statement
Authority: The collection of this information is authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation
and Management Act, 16 U.S.C 1801 et seq..
Purpose: The Magnuson-Stevens Act requires that conservation and management measures must prevent over
fishing while achieving, on a continuing basis, the optimum yield from each fishery. Vessel logbooks are
essential tools in the management of fishery resources. Section 303(a)(5) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act
specifically identifies the kinds of data to be collected for fishery management plans (FMPs).
Routine Uses: The Department will use this information for effective fishery management. Disclosure of this
information is permitted under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. Section 552a), to be shared within NMFS
offices, in order to coordinate monitoring and management of sustainability of fisheries and protected resources,
as well as with the applicable State or Regional Marine Fisheries Commissions and International Organizations.
Disclosure of this information is also subject to all of the published routine uses as identified in the
COMMERCE/NOAA-6, Fishermen's Statistical Data.
Disclosure: Submission is mandatory for those persons falling under the requirements of 50 CFR 648.7 (b). If
the information is not provided, permit status may be affected.

4

5

DETAILED INSTRUCTIONS
•
•

All fields on the VTR must be completed using blue or black ink only.
Incomplete, incorrect, and illegible VTRs will be returned to the vessel owner for correction.

1.

Vessel Name: Enter the name of your vessel. If your vessel does not have a name use UNNAMED.

2.

USCG Documentation or State Registration: Enter the official documentation number of your vessel.
If your vessel is not documented with the Coast Guard, enter the state registration number of your
vessel.

3.

NMFS Vessel Permit Number: Enter the six digit number printed on the fishing permit issued to your
vessel by NMFS, Greater Atlantic Regional Office, Gloucester, Massachusetts.

4.

Date and Time Sailed: Enter the month, day, year and time (using the 24 hour clock/military time)
you sailed. For example, January 1, 2010 at 4:15 PM should be recorded as 1/1/10 for date and 16:15 for
time.

5.

Date and Time Landed: Enter the month, day, year and time (using the 24 hour clock/military time)
you arrived in port. For example, January 1, 2010 at 4:15 PM should be recorded as 1/1/10 for date and
16:15 for time.
12 to 24 Hour Time Conversion Table
Midnight to Noon Conversion
12:00 AM = 00:00 (Midnight)
1:00 AM = 01:00
2:00 AM = 02:00
3:00 AM = 03:00
4:00 AM = 04:00
5:00 AM = 05:00
6:00 AM = 06:00
7:00 AM = 07:00
8:00 AM = 08:00
9:00 AM = 09:00
10:00 AM = 10:00
11:00 AM = 11:00

6.

Noon to
12:00
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
5:00
6:00
7:00
8:00
9:00
10:00
11:00

Midnight Conversions
PM = 12:00 (Noon)
PM = 13:00
PM = 14:00
PM = 15:00
PM = 16:00
PM = 17:00
PM = 18:00
PM = 19:00
PM = 20:00
PM = 21:00
PM = 22:00
PM = 23:00

Trip Type: Check the box for the appropriate trip type: Commercial, Recreational, Party or Charter.
Note: Only a single trip type box should be checked for any given trip.
•
•

# of Crew: Enter the total number of crew members including the captain. If you have an Observer
onboard do not include them in the crew count. Party/Charter vessels should include all crew members
or employees on board for the trip.
# of Anglers: For party/charter trips only: enter the total number of anglers, excluding the vessel's
crew.

6

7.
Gear Code: Enter the three letter code found in the Gear Codes Table (below) of the gear being
fished. If more than one gear type was used during this trip, a separate report page must be completed for
each gear used. If you are fishing with a gear type not provided in the table below, please contact the Vessel
Trip Reporting office at (978) 281-9246 for guidance.
Gear Codes Table
Gear

Code

Gear Description

OHS

OTTER TRAWL, HADDOCK
SEPARATOR

Gear

Code

Gear Description

DRC DREDGE,OCEAN QUAHOG/SURF CLAM

OTB OTTER TRAWL, BEAM

DRM DREDGE,MUSSEL

OTTER TRAWL, BOTTOM,
OTC
SCALLOP

DRO DREDGE,OTHER

OTF

OTTER
TRAWL,BOTTOM,FISH

DRS DREDGE, SCALLOP, STANDARD
DREDGES
DSC

OTM OTTER TRAWL,MIDWATER
OTO

DTS DREDGE, SCALLOP, TURTLE DEFLECTOR

OTTER TRAWL, BOTTOM,
OTHER

DTC

OTR OTTER TRAWL, RUHLE
OTS

DREDGE, SCALLOP, STANDARD
W/CHAIN MAT
DREDGE, SCALLOP, TURTLE DEFLECTOR
W/CHAIN MAT

DRU DREDGE, URCHIN

OTTER TRAWL, BOTTOM,
SHRIMP

PTC POT, CRAB
PTE POT, EEL

TRAWL

PTF

OTTER TRAWL, BOTTOM,
OTT FISH, JOINED (TWIN
TRAWL)
TTS

OTTER TRAWL, BOTTOM,
SHRIMP, JOINED (TWIN
TRAWL)

POT,FISH

PTH POT, HAG
PTL POT,LOBSTER
POTS AND
TRAPS

PTO POT,OTHER
PTS

POT,SHRIMP

PTW POT, CONCH/WHELK
PTM PAIR TRAWL,MIDWATER

PTX POTS,MIXED

PTB PAIR TRAWL,BOTTOM

TRP TRAP
WEI WEIR

PUR SEINE, PURSE

CST CAST

SED SEINE, DANISH

DIV DIVING GEAR

SEH SEINE, HAUL

FYK FYKE NET
OTHER

HRP HARPOON

SES

SEINE, SCOTTISH

STS

SEINE, STOP

MIX MIXED GEAR

GND

GILL NET,DRIFT,LARGE
MESH

RAK HAND RAKE
OTH OTHER GEAR

GNO GILL NET, OTHER
GILLNETS GNR GILL NET,RUNAROUND
GNS GILL NET,SINK
GNT

GILL NET,DRIFT,SMALL
MESH

LLB LONGLINE,BOTTOM
HOOK
LLP LONGLINE, PELAGIC
AND LINE
HND HAND LINE/ROD & REEL

7

8.

Mesh/ Ring Size: Enter mesh/ring size of the gear being fished. Use the definitions in the Fishing
Effort Information by Gear Type Table located below. 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 mesh size 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.

9.

Gear Quantity: Enter the quantity of gear being fished per haul. Use the definitions in the Fishing
Effort Information by Gear Type table located below. If more than one of this gear type was used
during the trip, enter the average quantity of gear used per haul.

10.

Gear Size: Enter size of the gear being fished using the definitions in the Fishing Effort Information by
Gear Type table located below.

11.

Fishing Depth: Enter the average depth fished in fathoms.

12.

Number of Hauls: Enter the total number of tows, sets, or strings you hauled as appropriate for your
gear using the Fishing Effort Information by Gear Type table located below.

13.

Chart Area: Enter the three digit area fished from the charts supplied below. Area fished may be an
offshore area (indicated by bold font in the attached charts) or an inshore area (indicated by small font in
charts). For each area (inshore or offshore) where the start of haul back occurred during a trip, a separate
VTR page for each area must be completed using the three digit code from the appropriate chart found at
the end of this document. For instance, if nine of your tows started and ended in one area you would report
this area on your VTR log. If on the tenth tow you crossed into a new area and starting hauling back in that
area, you would fill out a new VTR log and report the new chart area.
• If you’re fishing north of 35 degrees latitude and east of the demarcated area boundaries, enter
899
• If you’re south of 35 degrees latitude and east of the demarcated area boundaries, enter 799
• If fishing in the areas found on the inshore charts for MA, RI, CT, and NY state waters (Charts
5, 6, and 7), use the inshore code (small font) when appropriate. For example, if you’re fishing
just off of the tip of Cape Ann (Chart 5) you would report area 116. Likewise, if you are fishing
just off of New Haven in Long Island Sound (Chart 7) you would report area 143.
Catch should be reported based upon the chart area where the start of your haul back occurred.
• For mobile gear (trawls and dredges), this is when the hauling equipment is put into gear with the
intention of hauling back and retrieval of net/dredge begins.
• For fixed gear (gillnets, longline, pots, traps, and weirs), this is when the hauling equipment is put
into gear or retrieval of one end of the set begins.
• For purse seine gear, and other seines, this is when the skiff hits the water upon setting the gear, or
the first piece of gear hits the water, whichever occurs first.
• For all other gears (handline, rod and reel, and the gears listed in the Gear Code Table above as
“other gears”), you report the area where the gear is completely retrieved and aboard the vessel.

8

14.

Latitude: When multiple haul-backs occur in the same chart area, enter a single geographic position
using either latitude (degrees and minutes) or loran of the haul-back position where the majority of your
fishing effort occurred.

15.

Longitude: When multiple haul-backs occur in the same chart area, enter a single geographic position
using either longitude (degrees and minutes) or loran of the haul-back position where the majority of your
fishing effort occurred.

The Position to Report by Gear Type Table below defines, by gear type, the position to report for the “majority
of fishing effort”.
Position to Report by Gear Type Table
Gear Type
Trawl
Dredge
Gillnet

Position to Report for “Majority of Fishing Effort”
Location of the start of haul back for the longest tow
Location of the start of haul back for the longest tow
Location of the start of haul back for the string with
the most panels
Location of the start of haul back for the string with
the most pots
Location of the start of haul back for the longest soak
Location where the majority of casts occurred; or if
drifting, where the first cast of the drift occurred
Location where the last dive ended
Location of the start of haul back for the longest line
Location where the majority of casts occurred; or if
drifting, where the first cast of the drift occurred
Location where the majority of casts occurred; or if
drifting, where the first cast of the drift occurred
Location of the start of haul back for the string with
the most traps
Location where the majority of raking occurred

Pots
Seines
Rod & Reel\Hand Line
Diving
Longline
Harpoon
Cast Net
Traps
Hand Rake

16.

Tow/Soak Time: Depending upon the gear used, you will enter either the average tow time per haul,
the total time that the gear soaked or the estimated time you spent fishing (not including travel time).
Enter the amount of time fishing (hours and minutes).
•
•
•
•
•
•

Mobile Gear (trawl, dredges, etc.): Enter the average amount of time per tow which is defined as from the
time the gear is completely hooked up to when the gear is completely hauled back.
Fixed Gear (gill nets, long lines, pots, etc.): Enter the average time that the gear soaked which is defined as
starting when the first piece of gear is deployed and ending when the last piece of gear is hauled back.
Seines: Enter the average soak time per haul
Rod & Reel / Hand Line: Enter the total amount of time the lines were actually fishing.
Harpoon: Enter the total amount of time spent searching for targeted species.
Diving: Enter dive time

9

The Fishing Effort Information by Gear Type Table below summarizes how mesh/ring size, gear quantity,
gear size, number of hauls and tow/soak time should be filled out for different gear types.
Fishing Effort Information by Gear Type Table
Gear Type
Reporting Field
Mesh/Ring Size

Trawl

Dredge

Gillnet

Reporting Guidance
Smallest mesh size used in Cod end or liner

Gear Quantity

Number of individual trawls being towed at one
time

Gear Size

Sweep (foot rope) length in feet

Number of Hauls

Number of tows hauled per trip

Tow/Soak Time

Average tow time per haul (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Ring size

Gear Quantity

Number of individual dredges being towed at one
time

Gear Size

Dredge width in inches

Number of Hauls

Number of tows hauled per trip

Tow/Soak Time

Average tow time per haul (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Mesh size

Gear Quantity

Average number of nets per string

Gear Size

Average length of the nets used in a string (not the
entire string)

Number of Hauls

Total number of strings hauled per trip

For example, a string 3000 feet in total length would typically consist of 10 nets (Gear
Quantity) with an average length of 300 feet (Gear Size).

Pots

Seines

Rod & Reel \
Hand Line

Tow/Soak Time

Average soak time per haul (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Entrance (ring, hoop) size

Gear Quantity

Average number of pots per string

Gear Size

Total number of pots in the water

Number of Hauls

Total number of strings hauled per trip

Tow/Soak Time

Average soak time per haul (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Mesh size

Gear Quantity

Number of nets

Gear Size

Length of head rope in feet

Number of Hauls

Number of seines hauled per trip

Tow/Soak Time

Average soak time per haul (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Leave blank

Gear Quantity

Number of hooks per line

Gear Size

Leave blank

Number of Hauls

Leave blank

Tow/Soak Time

Enter total amount of time the lines were fishing
10

Fishing Effort Information by Gear Type Table - Continued
Gear Type
Reporting Field

Diving

Longline

Harpoon

Cast Net

Traps

Hand Rake

Reporting Guidance

Mesh/Ring Size

Leave blank

Gear Quantity

Leave blank

Gear Size

Leave blank

Number of Hauls

Leave blank

Tow/Soak Time

Dive time (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Leave blank

Gear Quantity

Number of hooks per line

Gear Size

Main line length to the nearest tenth of a nautical
mile e.g. 1.5

Number of Hauls

Number of sets hauled

Tow/Soak Time

Average soak time per haul (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Leave blank

Gear Quantity

Number of harpoons

Gear Size

Leave blank

Number of Hauls

Number of throws

Tow/Soak Time

Total amount of time spent searching for targeted
species (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Mesh size

Gear Quantity

Leave blank

Gear Size

Average radius of net(s)

Number of Hauls

Number of hauls

Tow/Soak Time

Total amount of time spent searching for targeted
species (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Mesh size of crib

Gear Quantity

Number of traps

Gear Size

Length of leader (feet)

Number of Hauls

number of sets lifted

Tow/Soak Time

Average soak time per haul (hours : minutes)

Mesh/Ring Size

Leave blank

Gear Quantity

Leave blank

Gear Size

Leave blank

Number of Hauls

Leave blank

Tow/Soak Time

Total time spent fishing (hours : minutes)

11

17.

18.

Species Code: Enter the code of each species caught. Use the codes found below in the Species Code
Table. If other species were caught that are not provided in the table please call the Vessel Trip
Reporting office at (978) 281-9246 for guidance.
Kept:
•
•
•

19.

Discarded:
•
•
•

20.

Commercial Trips: Enter the hail weight (in pounds) of each species in the KEPT column. Groundfish
catch retained for home consumption should have its fillet weight entered.
Recreational Trips: Enter the count for each species in the KEPT column.
Party & Charter Trips: Enter the count for each species in the KEPT column.

Commercial Trips: Enter the hail weight (in pounds) of each species in the DISCARDED column.
Recreational Trips: Enter the count of each species in the DISCARDED column.
Party & Charter Trips: Enter the count of each species in the DISCARDED column.

Dealer Permit Number: Enter the NMFS Greater Atlantic 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 Number lines.
If any portion of the catch of a species landed is not sold to a Federally permitted dealer, enter the
appropriate code listed in the Dealer Codes Table below.
Dealer Codes Table
Code
1
2
4
5
6
7
8
99998

Definition
Seized for Violations
Sold to another vessel for bait or retained as bait
Retained for future sale
Sold to a non-Federal dealer (non-Federally regulated species only)
Sub legal catch landed for research
Legal catch landed for research (EFP trips only)
Landed, unmarketable catch (LUMF)
Used for home consumption

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.

Offloading Port (Equivalent to Landing Port for Party\Charter vessels):
•
•

24.

Commercial Types: Enter the city and state of the port where each species was physically offloaded.
This includes all catch that is offloaded but not sold to a seafood dealer.
Party, Charter & Recreational Trips: Enter the city and state of the port where the trip ended\landed.

Operator Permit Number: Print your NMFS Operator's Permit Number. This is the 8 digit number on
the Operator's Permit issued by the NMFS/GARFO Permit Office.
12

25.

Operator Name: Print your name as it appears on your Operator's Permit.

26.

Operator Signature: Signature of the vessel operator, Captain or person responsible for the truth and
accuracy of the VTR.

27.

Date Signed: The date the report was signed in MM/DD/YY format.

13

Species Codes Table
Category

GROUNDFISH

Code

SKATES

Category

Code

Species Name

COD

ALWF

ALEWIFE

CUSK

CUSK

ANCH

ANCHOVY

HADD

HADDOCK

HERR

HERRING, ATLANTIC

RHAK

HAKE, RED/LING

HRAT

HERRING, ATLANTIC THREAD

SHAK

HAKE, SILVER/WHITING

HRBB

HERRING, BLUE BACK

SPHAK

HAKE, SPOTTED

WHAK

HAKE, WHITE

HRRD

HERRING, ROUND

MONK

MONKFISH/ANGLERFISH/GOOSEFISH

MEN

MENHADEN

MONKH

MONK HEADS

HSNS

HERRING AND SARDINE

ESC

ESCOLAR

SMLT

SMELT

OCEAN POUT

BLU

BLUEFISH

POLL

POLLOCK

BON

BONITO

RED

REDFISH/OCEAN PERCH

BUT

BUTTERFISH

CAT

WOLFISH/OCEAN CATFISH

HALF

HALFBEAK

Code

Species Name

HARV

HARVEST FISH

FLDAB

AMERICAN PLAICE/DAB

MACK

MACKEREL, ATLANTIC

FLFSP

FOURSPOT

MACC

MACKEREL, ATLANTIC CHUB

FLSD

SAND-DAB/WINDOWPANE/BRILL

MACB

MACKEREL, BULLET

FLSOU

SOUTHERN

FRI

MACKEREL, FRIGATE/BOO HOO

FLUKE

SUMMER/FLUKE

KGM

MACKEREL, KING

FLBB

WINTER/BLACKBACK

SSM

MACKEREL, SPANISH

FLGS

WITCH/GRAY SOLE

SARSC

SARDINE, SCALED

FLYT

YELLOWTAIL

HAL

HALIBUT, ATLANTIC

SARSP

SARDINE, SPANISH

HALG

HALIBUT, GREENLAND

SAURY

SAURY, ATLANTIC

Code

Species Name

SHAD

SHAD, AMERICAN

SHDG

SHAD, GIZZARD

MONKL

MONK LIVERS

MONKT

MONK TAILS

POUT

FLOUNDERS

Species Name

COD

PELAGICS

SKHEAD

SKATE,HEAD

SKRACK

SKATE,RACK

SHDH

SHAD, HICKORY

SKBARN

SKATE,BARNDOOR

DOL

DOLPHIN FISH/MAHI MAHI

SKCL

SKATE, CLEARNOSE

BUM

MARLIN, BLUE

SKL

SKATE,LITTLE (SUMMER)

WHM

MARLIN, WHITE

SKLWIN

SKATE, LITTLE/WINNER

SUN

OCEAN SUNFISH/ MOOLA

SKROSE

SKATE, ROSETTE

SWO

SWORDFISH

SKSM

SKATE, SMOOTH

OPAH

OPAH/MOONFISH

SKTHOR

SKATE, THORNY

SKWIN

SKATE, WINTER

SKBARNW SKATE WINGS, BARNDOOR
SKCLW

SKATE WINGS, CLEARNOSE

SKLW

SKATE WINGS, LITTLE(SUMMER)

SKLWINW

SKATE WINGS, LITTLE/WINTER

SKROSEW

SKATE WINGS, ROSETTE

SKSMW

SKATE WINGS, SMOOTH

SKTHORW SKATE WINGS, THORNY
SKHEAD

SKATE,HEAD

14

Species Codes Table - Continued
Category

Code

Species Name

Category

Code

Species Name

SAL

ATLANTIC SALMON

BARRA BARRACUDA

BBR

BLACK BELLIED ROSEFISH

BAR

BARRELFISH

ARGT

ARGENTINE

RUNB

BLUE RUNNER

BSB

BLACK SEA BASS

COBIA

COBIA

CUN

CUNNER

CREV

CREVALLE

GREN

GREENEYE

CRO

CROAKER, ATLANTIC

JDO

JOHN DORY

DRUMB DRUM, BLACK

LANT

LANTERNFISH

DRUMR DRUM, RED

LUMP

LUMPFISH

GAR

GARFISH

HATCH

HATCHETFISH/PEARLSIDES

GRPSN

GROUPER, SNOWY

PERW

PERCH, WHITE

GRPR

GROUPER, OTHER

PUF

PUFFER, NORTHERN

GRUNT GRUNT

RPG

RED PORGY

HGF

HOGFISH

RSC

ROUGH SCAD

LADY

LADYFISH

SAND
OTHER FINFISHNORTHERN
SCUL

SAND LANCE

MUL

MULLETS

SCUP

SCUP/PORGY

SRAV

SEA RAVEN

PIG

PIGFISH

SROB

SEA ROBINS

POM

POMPANO, COMMON

SIL

SILVERSIDES, ATLANTIC

RIB

RIBBONFISH

SILNS

SILVERSIDE, NOT SPECIFIED

SHEEP

SHEEPSHEAD

SPOT

SPOT

SNAPR

SNAPPER, RED

STB

STRIPED BASS/ROCKFISH

SNAPV

SNAPPER, VERMILLION

STUR

STURGEON, ATLANTIC

SNAP

SNAPPER, OTHER

STSN

STURGEON, SHORT-NOSE

SPADE

SPADEFISH

TAU

TAUTOG

SQRF

SQUIRRELFISH

TILEB

TILEFISH, BLUELINE

TRIG

TRIGGERFISH

TILEG

TILEFISH, GOLDEN

WAH

WAHOO

TILES

TILEFISH, SAND

WKSQ

WEAKFISH/ SEA TROUT SQUETEAGUE

TOAD

TOADFISH, OYSTER

WKSP

WEAKFISH/ SEA TROUT SPOTTED

WHB

WHITING, BLACK

WHK

WHITING, KING/KINGFISH

WRK

WRECKFISH

SCULPINS

Code

TUNA

OTHER FINFISH - NSG
SOUTHERN
PERSA

Species Name

ALB

ALBACORE

AMB

AMBERJACK

BET

BIG EYE

BLKFT

BLACKFIN

BFT

BLUEFIN

LTA

LITTLE

SKJ

SKIPJACK

YFT

YELLOWFIN

15

STARGAZER, NORTHERN
PERCH, SAND

Species Codes Table - Continued
Category

SHARKS

Code

Species Name

Code

Species Name

DGCH

DOGFISH, CHAIN

CLBA

CLAM, BLOOD ARC

DGSM

DOGFISH, SMOOTH

CLA

CLAM, ARCTIC SURF

DGSP

DOGFISH, SPINY

CLR

CLAM, RAZOR

SHBA

SHARK, BASKING

CLSO

CLAM, SOFT

SHBN

SHARK,BIGNOSE

CLSU

CLAM, SURF

SHBT

SHARK, BLACKTIP

CLH

HARD QUAHOG

SHBL

SHARK,BLUE

CLQU

OCEAN QUAHOG

SHBU

SHARK,BULL

CRB

CRAB, BLUE

SHDU

SHARK,DUSKY

CRC

CRAB, CANCER

SHFI

SHARK, FINETOOTH

CRG

CRAB, GREEN

SHHA

SHARK,HAMMERHEAD

CRH

CRAB, HERMIT

SHLE

SHARK,LEMON

CRHS

CRAB, HORSESHOE

SHML

SHARK,MAKO, LONGFIN

CRJ

CRAB, JONAH

SHMS

SHARK,MAKOM SHORTFIN

CRL

CRAB, LADY

SHNI

SHARK,NIGHT

CRQS

CRAB, QUEEN SNOW

SHNU

SHARK,NURSE

CRRD

CRAB, RED

SHPB

SHARK,PORBEAGLE

CRRK

CRAB, ROCK

SHST

SHARK,SAND TIGER

CRSP

CRAB, SPIDER

SHSB

SHARK,SANDBAR

LOB

LOBSTER, AMERICAN

SHSN

SHARK,SHARPNOSE

SHRM

SHRIMP (MANTIS)

SHSI

SHARK,SILKY

SHRP

SHRIMP (PANAEID)

SHSP

SHARK,SPINNER

SHR

SHRIMP (PANDALID)

SHTH

SHARK,THRESHER

SCAL

SCALLOP, SEA

SHTB

SHARK,THRESHER, BIGEYE

SCALS SCALLOP, SEA, IN SHELL

SHTI

SHARK,TIGER

SCB

SCALLOP, BAY

SHWH

SHARK,WHITE

SCC

SCALLOP,CALICO

SHWT

SHARK, WHITETIP

SCI

SCALLOP,ICELANDIC

Code

OTHER

Category

SHELLFISH

WHKC WHELK, CANNELED

Species Name

EELA

EEL, AMERICAN

WHKN WHELK, KNOBBED

EELC

EEL, CONGER

WHKL WHELK, LIGHTNING

CSKEEL

EEL, CUSK

WHWV WHELK, WAVED

HAG

HAGFISH

MUS

MUSSELS

OYS

OYSTERS

Code

Species Name

CRUST CRUSTACEAN, NOT SPECIFIED

INVERTEBRATES

JLY

JELLY FISH

MOLL

MOLLUSK, NOT SPECIFIED

OCT

OCTOPUS

CUC

SEA CUCUMBERS

URCH

SEA URCHINS

ILX

SQUID/ILLEX

LOL

SQUID/LOLIGO

STAR

STARFISH

Code

TURTLES

16

Species Name

GRTU

GREEN

HATU

HAWKSBILL

RITU

KEEMPS RIDLEY

LETU

LEATHERBACK

LOTU

LOGGERHEAD

UNTU

UNIDENTIFIED

Frequently Asked Questions
Question:
Answer:

If I change gear type, mesh size, or chart area fished during a trip, how do I complete my VTR?
Complete a separate report for any change in gear type, mesh/ring size or chart area.

Question:
Answer:

Do I have to complete a report if I am going out just to set gear?
Yes. If you make a fishing trip just to set out gear you must still complete a VTR. Complete the
information in VTR fields 1-6, along with fields 24-27, and enter “Set Only” in the lower portion
of the VTR.

Question:

Do I have to complete a report if I return to port prior to engaging in any fishing activity (e.g.,
mechanical breakdown, bad weather)?
Yes. If you begin a fishing trip, but must return to port before setting or retrieving gear because
of issues like bad weather or mechanical problems, then you must still complete a VTR. In this
case, you must complete the information in VTR Fields 1-6, along with fields 24-27, and enter
“No Effort” in the lower portion of the VTR.

Answer:

Question:
Answer:

Do I have to complete a report if I’m using my federally permitted vessel to fish recreationally?
Yes. Federally permitted vessels must report every trip that they take. Recreational trips which
use a federally permitted vessel require a VTR to be filled out and submitted. All of the sections,
including species caught and\or discarded, are to be filled out. The only difference in how you
would fill out a VTR for a recreational trip involves boxes 20 and 21. For Box 20, Dealer Permit
Number, enter ‘99998’ (the code for home consumption) and leave Box 21, Dealer Name, blank.

Question:
Answer:

What if I don’t land any fish on a trip?
If during fishing operations no species are caught (kept or discarded), you must still complete a
VTR. In this case, you must complete all of the trip information in VTR Fields 1-16, and enter
“No Catch” or “NC” in the species code field (#17).

Question:
Answer:

If I send in several reports at one time, do I have to sign and date every report?
Yes. All VTRs must be signed and dated or they will be returned to you for completion.

Question:
Answer:

Do I have to give my VTR serial number to the dealer(s) that I sold my catch to?
Yes. You are required to provide the VTR serial number to each Federal dealer to whom you
sell your catch. If your trip required you to fill out more than one VTR page please provide the
dealer with the first VTR that you filled out for the trip..

Question:

I gave the wrong VTR serial number to my dealer. Can I alter the serial number on my VTR to
match the number I gave my dealer?
No. The serial number is a preprinted unique number and must not be altered or the VTR will be
returned to you. Contact your dealer(s) to have them correct their dealer reports.

Answer:

Question:
Answer:

My supply of VTRs is getting low. How do I get more?
VTRs can be obtained by mailing the renewal form contained in each VTR packet to the NMFS
address below. You may also obtain VTRs by contacting the NMFS Vessel Trip Reporting
Office, either in person, or by telephone at (978) 281-9157 or by contacting your local NMFS
Field Office.

Question:

How long am I required to keep copies of my VTRs?
17

Answer:

VTRs 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.

Question:

If I’m fishing outside of the Greater Atlantic Region (e.g. in the Gulf of Mexico or off the coast
of Florida or on the High Seas for Tuna) do I have to submit VTR’s?
Yes. If your vessel is issued a permit from the Greater Atlantic region you are required to submit
a VTR to us regardless of where the fishing activity took place or the species targeted. The one
exception to this is for vessels that are only permitted for American Lobster.

Answer:

18

Change Log
Effective Date of Change

Page/Section

N/A
N/A
N/A

N/A
N/A
1

N/A

1

N/A

1

N/A

3

1 Jan 2015

3

N/A

7

N/A

7

1 Jan 2015

8

9

10

11 – 12
15
1 Jan 2015

18

1 Jan 2015

18

N/A

18

17 Apr 2017

17

17 Apr 2017

15

28 Jun 2017
21 Sep 2017

14-16
14-16

Change

Added this change log.
Added page numbers
Added definitions for ‘fishing’ and ‘fishing trip’
Added language seeking to clarify “reporting period”
and “submission deadline”.
Added Squid\Mackerel\Butterfish to listing of permits
that are required to submit their VTR’s on a weekly
basis.
Changed ‘Multiple Chart Area Trips’ to ‘Multiple Chart
Area Fished Trips’
Modified ‘Multiple Chart Area Fished Trips’ to reflect
that the chart area is now determined by haul back
location.
Box 6: Added text “If you intend to fish under a
RSA\EFP for any portion of a trip you must check
the RSA\EFP box.”
Box 6, # of Crew: Added “If you have an Observer
onboard do not include them in the crew count.”
Gear Code Table: Removed codes LLO and CAR.
Added codes OTT, DTC & DTS
Box 8: Add “mesh size” to the sentence “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.” So that it reads: “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
mesh size per haul.”
Removed “total estimated” from sentence “Enter the
total estimated amount of time fishing (hours and
minutes).” So that it now reads: “Enter the amount of
time fishing (hours and minutes).”
Fishing Effort Information by Gear Type Table: Added
“(Hours: Minutes)” to Tow\Soak Time for all gear.
Species Codes Table: Removed codes SKATE,
SKATEW, SKSMALL and SKLARGE.
Broke out single question regarding ‘No Effort’ trips
into three separate questions.
Question 3 – We no longer require the reason for
terminating a trip aside from writing ‘No Effort’ on the
lower portion of the VTR.
Added a separate question and answer for “Do I have to
give my VTR serial number to the dealer(s) that I sold
my catch to?”
Added codes for Hermit and Lady crabs.
Added codes for skates heads and racks. These codes
apply to all skate species.
Species added to species tables.
Forage species added to species tables.
19

Effective Date of Change

Page/Section

21 Sep 2017

7

Change

Added TTS gear code

20

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