Electronic Vessel Trip ReportingElectronic Vessel Trip Reporting- New ways for fishermen to report their catch!How do managers know how much fish are caught and discarded while fishing boats are out at sea? Through Fishing Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs), federal logbooks that commercial fishermen are required to fill out on every trip. These reports include important information such as how much fish is caught and discarded, fishing date, location, and gear characteristics. VTR information is an important tool for managers, and as such, it is important to compile VTR information into a database as soon as possible. However, the current process for evaluating and analyzing this data is very time consuming. Fishermen must mail the reports to the NMFS where they are processed and keypunched by hand. This information can also be reconciled with and compared to other management databases, for example one maintained for seafood dealers. While some of these other databases have made the transition to fully electronic reporting, the VTR database has not. CCCHFA fishermen are now testing ways to replace the paper-based VTR with an electronic version (an EVTR) that can be submitted to the NMFS database through satellite email. The software developed for this project will automatically check the report for omissions and errors prior to it being sent. It will also allow fishermen to check and verify the reports through an internet portal later on, as well as download the information for their own records. Each report will have a unique identifying number which will link the information to at least 6 other databases maintained by managers. Finally, the EVTR information will be available in near real time to community based management entities like the Georges Bank Hook Sector, giving them a more efficient and accurate means to manage sector quotas. CCCHFA has assisted in developing three EVTR applications: two for use onboard fishing vessels (the Electronic Reporting System EVTR and the SkyMate™ EVTR) and one land-based Kiosk. The Electronic Reporting System EVTR and Skymate™ EVTR are installed onto a computer and linked to a satellite e-mail system; fishermen will enter their data while out at sea or upon returning to port. The Kiosk can be used by fishermen who do not have onboard computers. Field testing of the software will occur during the summer of 2006. View supporting article: Chatham MA fleet set to test electronic Fishing Vessel Trip Reporting found in Commercial Fisheries News. Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting (EVTR) is a pilot project funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in collaboration with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). Last updated: May 16, 2006 |
Today's CatchGet Ready for the Event of the Season! Hookers Ball VIII August 16th. Get your copy today! The perfect beach read: three centuries of fishing in Chatham Help Hook the Cure Striped Bass Derby! August 23, 2008, Benefits Parkinson disease research. HAVE YOU CAUGHT A TAGGED HADDOCK OR COD? Report the tagged fish and receive a prize!
If you catch a haddock or cod with a tag:
Fish length Spawning condition Date and time Location Water depth and temperature Gear used Fate of fish (released or landed)
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