The NOAA Fisheries Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program (SEFHIER) End of Year Update

As we wrap up the fourth year of activities by NOAA Fisheries' South Atlantic SEFHIER Program, we want to take a moment to thank our constituents for their time and energy. Working towards enhanced data and management for the southeast for-hire fleet is a collaborative effort. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our SEFHIER team if you need help with reporting, compliance, or just need more information about the program (SEFHIER call center 1-833-707-1632 or email: [email protected] ).

Key Program Updates and Reminders:

• The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) continues to work towards standing up a revised for-hire electronic reporting program in the Gulf of Mexico, while the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) considers improvements to the existing South Atlantic SEFHIER program. More details can be found below.
• Please remember to check frequently to ensure you have the latest version of your SEFHIER application. Outdated applications may not successfully result in submission of your logbooks and "Did Not Fish" reports.
• A recent change to SEFHIER logbooks, for South Atlantic/Atlantic federally permitted vessels who report with VESL, now include a "Trip Activity" field (for consistency with other regions and programs). This change in the VESL app took place in early 2024. The trip activity field informs whether a fishing trip was able to fish or not, and is important in estimating fishing effort.
• NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Division has proposed new electronic reporting requirements for commercial and recreational fishing vessels. Comments will be accepted through January 6, 2025. More information can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-electronic-reporting-requirements-atlantic-highly-migratory-species .
• To comply with existing HMS regulations ( 50 CFR 635.5 ), VESL will begin showing HMS required fields for any trip that reports catching HMS species, expected on Feb 3^rd, 2025. The required fields will depend on species and disposition, and could include tag number, weight, grade, length, quality, tournament attended, hook and fight time, gear and bait used. The eTrips app already contains these fields.
• The newest versions of eTRIPS/mobile v2 was released Monday, December 16, 2024. Changes include removal of several "Favorite" attributes and default values to improve data quality. Users will need to update their application to the latest version to see these changes. Users do not need to uninstall and reinstall the application. If you need help updating your application, please call (1-800-984-0810) or email ( [email protected] ) the eTrips helpdesk directly.
• It is important to report your target species and catch accurately. Accurately reporting what you intended to target and what you caught in your logbook is vital information for fishery managers.

Gulf Council Meetings - Update on the For-Hire Data Collection Amendment:

• The Gulf Council has begun work on rebuilding the SEFHIER program in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf). Presentations and discussion occurred at several Gulf Council meetings and during the Ad Hoc Charter For-hire Data Collection Advisory Panel (in January 2024). The Gulf Council has discussed some options for how a revised, Gulf SEFHIER program might look, but has not made final decisions.
• The most recent version of the Modifications to Gulf of Mexico For-hire Data Collection Program can be found here , on the Gulf Council's website.

• The Gulf Council welcomes industry input as they work to rebuild the Gulf SEFHIER program. You can find the list of upcoming Gulf Council meetings here , where you can also register to attend. For more information on the Council process, including how to provide input or public testimony, please refer to this document on the Gulf Council's website.

South Atlantic Council Meetings - Update on the Discussion to Improve the South Atlantic SEFHIER program:

• The South Atlantic Council has begun a comprehensive amendment to improve the South Atlantic SEFHIER program. The improvements focus on improving program compliance, and the development of final estimation methods. The South Atlantic Council will form a special Advisory Panel, comprised of industry representatives, to create a forum for their input, and has sought input from the Council's Scientific and Statistical Committee and their Social and Economic Panel. Recommendations for the South Atlantic SEFHIER program to consider include:
  • Requiring logbook submission prior to offload of catch.
  • Implementing an intercept survey to determine final landings estimates that take into consideration mis-reported and non-reported trips.
  • Requiring a declaration/pre-landing notification prior to a fishing trip.
  • Requiring pre-approved landing locations.
• Recommendations for changes were based off the original Gulf SEFHIER program, noting it had higher compliance and utilized a dockside survey that could capture uncertainty in non- and mis-reported for-hire trip and catch information.

2024 South Atlantic SEFHIER Program: Reporting Compliance (as of 12/11/24):

Helpful Program Information and Useful Links:

• The SEFHIER website ( https://go.usa.gov/xMBjm ) is your one-stop shop for staying up to date with important news, announcements, regulations, and compliance, such as the:
• Visit the Southeast Fisheries Permits application website and application status website for permit application information, or call the Permits Office at 1-877-376-4877 and press option 8 to get to Permits staff.

Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message & data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures.
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

• Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
• Gulf of Mexico Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text GULFCOMMFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLCOMMFISH to 888777
• Caribbean Fisheries Related Alerts

Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox: The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information, contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Other contacts:

Media: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, (727) 385-5202

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