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Greater Atlantic Region
Fishing Vessel Trip Report (VTR)
Reporting Instructions
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 4 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
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
File Type | application/pdf |
File Title | AFISHING VESSEL TRIP REPORT@ REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS |
Author | bclifford |
File Modified | 2021-02-03 |
File Created | 2017-09-26 |