Southeast Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Related Requirements

The NMFS, Office of Law Enforcement, Southeast Enforcement Division is submitting this request for a revision and an extension of a currently approved information collection. Pursuant to proposed rule 0648-BM98, the changes proposed to this collection are the elimination of the current paper-based “Vessel Monitoring System Mobile Transceiver Unit (MTU) Power-Down Exemption Request for Vessels in the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery” to be replaced with an online form submission. The online form also includes the addition of two data elements; the email address of the submitter, and an option for the submitter to identify themselves as the “permit holder” or “vessel operator.” Additionally, the change proposes to eliminate the current requirement for vessel owners to submit the Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Installation and Activation Certification for the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico form. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act) authorizes the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council) and South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council) to prepare and amend fishery management plans (FMP) for any fishery in Federal waters under their respective jurisdictions. NMFS and the Gulf Council manage the reef fish fishery in the Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) under the FMP for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (Reef Fish FMP). NMFS and the South Atlantic Council manage the fishery for rock shrimp in the South Atlantic under the FMP for the Shrimp Fishery in the South Atlantic Region (Shrimp FMP). The FMPs and the implementing regulations contain several specific management areas where fishing is restricted; enforcement for which is most effectively conducted using VMS technology. The information collected on the soon-to-be-eliminated ‘‘Vessel Monitoring System Installation and Activation Certification for the Reef Fish Fishery of the Gulf of Mexico’’ form provides NMFS assurance that vessels are compliant with the requirements to install and activate an approved VMS unit. The requirement for vessel owners to install a VMS unit properly will remain in regulation, but there is little utility to requiring vessel owners to submit a form attesting to their compliance. Accordingly, we no longer seek to require that documentation. Information collected on the current ‘‘Vessel Monitoring System Mobile Transceiver Unit (MTU) Power-Down Exemption Request for Vessels in the Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Fishery’’ form and online “Power Down Exemption Request form” provide information that allows NMFS to exempt a vessel from the VMS reporting requirement under specific criteria. Information collected in fishing activity declarations is used to identify fishing activities, necessary for law enforcement operational planning, so law enforcement will know in real time, with what fishing activities the vessels are engaged.

The latest form for Southeast Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) and Related Requirements expires 2027-11-30 and can be found here.

Annual VMS Operation and Maintenance

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Natural Resources - Conservation, Marine and Land Management