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As we wrap up the third year of NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast For-Hire Integrated Electronic Reporting Program (SEFHIER), 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: ser.electronicreporting@noaa.gov).
Key Program Updates and Reminders:
- Recent changes to SEFHIER logbooks:
- After thoughtful discussion on the utility of the minimum and maximum depth fields, and taking into consideration reporting burden, SEFHIER will no longer require these fields starting December 15, 2023.
- Both the minimum and maximum depth fields are still important and required fields for vessels in the Southeast Region Headboat Survey and/or with South Carolina permits.
- For South Atlantic/Atlantic federally permitted vessels who report with VESL, SEFHIER logbooks will soon include the trip activity field (for consistency with other regions and programs). You can expect to see this change in the VESL app by early 2024.
- The trip activity field informs whether a fishing trip was able to fish or not, and is important in estimating fishing effort.
- 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 to understanding stock status. For example, catching a species not targeted may indicate high stock abundance, while not catching your target species may indicate low stock abundance in that fishing area.
- The most significant update to the SEFHIER program in 2023 was the February 23 Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision setting aside the final rule that implemented the Gulf of Mexico SEFHIER Program. To help constituents better understand these changes, we published three Fishery Bulletins (sign up to receive Fishery Bulletins here):
- SEFHIER has two approved software applications (eTrips mobile and VESL). You can find information about these software options on the SEFHIER website approved software page. Vessel monitoring systems (VMS) are no longer approved reporting methods for SEFHIER because the Gulf of Mexico SEFHIER program has been set aside.
2023 South Atlantic Program End-Of-Year Reporting Highlights (as of 11/12/23):
October 2023 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council Meeting - A Summary of the SEFHIER Presentation:
- At the October 2023 Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council meeting, SEFHIER staff provided a review of data collected from Gulf and Dual federal for-hire permitted vessels in 2022, which indicated overall SEFHIER program compliance was good for these permitted vessels:
- Over 100,000 logbooks were received.
- Each month, more than 91% of vessels were compliant with the reporting requirements.
- There was limited late reporting:
- 83% of logbooks were submitted within 24 hours of the trip ending.
- Less than 5% of logbooks were submitted more than 30 days after the trip ended.
 December 2023 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Meeting – A Summary of the SEFHIER Presentation:
- At the December 2023 South Atlantic Fishery Management Council meeting, SEFHIER staff presented a review of data collected from South Atlantic federal for-hire permitted vessels in 2022.
- Each month, 20-40% of vessels were missing reports.
- Over the entire year, 85% of no fishing reports, also called did not fish (DNF) reports, and 55% of logbooks were submitted late.
- Each week, logbooks or weekly DNF reports are due by 11:59 pm on the Tuesday following the fishing week (Monday-Sunday).
- More than 32% of logbooks were submitted more than 30 days after the fishing trip ended.
- Late reporting (>30 days from the trip end) impacts data usability, due to recall bias.
- “Better” fishery management for the for-hire fleet hinges on accurate and timely reporting, and we need your help to achieve that.
 Helpful Program Information and Useful Links:
- The SEFHIER website 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.
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Sign Up for Text Message Alerts
Our Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message and data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time. Text alerts you may receive include immediate fishery openings and closures and any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.
Sign up for one or more of the fisheries-related alerts below by texting the following to 888777:
- Gulf of Mexico Recreational: Text GULFRECFISH
- Gulf of Mexico Commercial: Text GULFCOMMFISH
- South Atlantic Recreational: Text SATLRECFISH
- South Atlantic Commercial: Text SATLCOMMFISH
- Caribbean: Text CARIBFISH
Permits Mailbox
The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 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.
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Other Contacts
Media: Allison Garrett (727) 551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan (727) 385-5202
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