Catch Reporting

Name: Catch Reporting
Author: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

DOCUMENTED

Published in academic literature

For:Researchers & AcademicsIndustry Professionals

Free

Download on the App Store

App Summary

Catch Reporting is a mobile tool for recreational and commercial fishermen to log and submit their Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) catch data, helping them comply with federal fishing regulations. The associated research details the mandatory reporting protocols for various stakeholders, specifying that mobile applications are an approved method for submitting timely data on HMS landings and releases. By facilitating compliance with these requirements, the app helps ensure the integrity of catch data used for the sustainable management of highly migratory fish stocks.

App Screenshots

Detailed Description

Functionality & Mechanism

Developed by NOAA Fisheries, this mobile application facilitates regulatory compliance for fishermen targeting Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS). The interface enables the capture of trip details, landings, and releases for species including tuna, swordfish, and billfish. Data is stored locally on the device, allowing for offline entry during fishing trips. The system then transmits the completed report to the HMS management database once an internet connection is reestablished, ensuring timely and accurate data submission for fisheries management.

Evidence & Research Context

The application functions as an approved electronic reporting tool within the regulatory framework detailed by NOAA Fisheries for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) management.
Its design supports compliance with time-sensitive reporting mandates, such as the 24-hour submission requirement for recreational landings of specified species.
The system is specified for use by multiple stakeholder groups, including recreational anglers and commercial permit holders, to report landings, releases, and dead discards.
Data collected via the app contributes directly to management databases used for monitoring populations and ensuring compliance with national and international fishery agreements.

Intended Use & Scope

This application is intended for use by recreational and commercial fishermen required to report catches of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species. Its primary scope is to serve as a data submission tool for regulatory compliance. The app is not a comprehensive fishing log, navigational aid, or species identification guide, and its use is limited to mandated reporting.

Studies & Publications

1 publication

Peer-reviewed research associated with this app.

Non-Evaluative Reference

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Electronic Technologies Implementation Plan

NOAA Fisheries et al. (2024) · NOAA Fisheries

Referenced in academic literature; no direct evaluation of the app

This overview outlines the regulatory reporting frameworks established by NOAA Fisheries for Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS), encompassing tunas, swordfish, billfish, and sharks. The text details specific compliance obligations for diverse stakeholder groups, including recreational anglers, commercial fishermen, tournament operators, and seafood dealers. For recreational sectors, the protocol mandates the reporting of swordfish, billfish, and bluefin tuna landings—as well as bluefin dead discards—within 24 hours via online platforms such as the HMS Permit Shop, the SAFIS eTrips system, or mobile applications like VESL. Commercial operators face stratified requirements based on permit category, ranging from 24-hour landing reports for bluefin tuna to 48-hour logbook submissions for directed shark and swordfish fisheries, alongside potential observer coverage and Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) usage. Furthermore, the document specifies that tournament operators must report all landed and released HMS catch within seven days of an event's conclusion. Finally, it addresses dealer obligations, which include daily reports for bluefin tuna receipts and mandatory weekly electronic reporting for other HMS transactions to ensure data integrity for fisheries management.

In the Media

Update Your NOAA Catch Reporting App and Report Your Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Catch!

NOAA launched an updated version of its Catch Reporting app to help recreational and commercial fishermen submit required catch reports for Atlantic highly migratory species, featuring an upgraded user experience while reducing data entry errors. The app enables users to report Atlantic bluefin tuna, swordfish, and billfish catches, with all landings of these species required to be reported by recreational fishermen and bluefin tuna landings and discards required from commercial fishermen. The updated app is now available for download at the Mac App Store and Google Play Store.

GovdeliveryRead article

NOAA proposes expanding electronic reporting of fish catches

NOAA Fisheries proposed a rule to eliminate paper dockside reports for Atlantic fishermen catching high-value species like swordfish, sharks and tuna, shifting to electronic vessel trip reporting software called eVTRs. The practice, commonly referred to as "one-stop reporting," has met mixed reviews from fishermen who appreciate the efficiency but caution that e-reporting requires online data entry and technical skills some are unfamiliar with. The rule could be adopted as soon as January in NOAA's Greater Atlantic and Southeast regions.

EenewsRead article

Atlantic HMS Catch Reporting App

NOAA Fisheries developed Catch Reporting to provide HMS fishermen an easy mobile tool for recording trips and reporting catch on the go. The app enables fishermen to report their catch of bluefin tuna, blue marlin, white marlin, roundscale spearfish, sailfish, and swordfish. The mobile application launched in September 2017.

NoaaRead article