Submitting Fishing Trip Information
The collection of fishery data is an important tool in marine resource management. DEC collects fishery information through Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs) from commercial fishermen and party/charter boat owners and operators.
Review VTR instruction information and forms you may need below:
- Instructions for completing VTRs in the Marine District (PDF)
- Instructions for completing VTRs in the Hudson & Delaware River (PDF)
- Commercial/For-Hire Not Fishing Form
- Federal Reporting Confirmation Form
- Instructions for using SAFIS eTrips Mobile 2 app
- Instructions for using SAFIS eTrips online on a desktop
Fishing Trips That Require VTR Submission
All food fishing, food fish landing, marine bait, lobster, lobster landing, lobster bait gill net, crab, horseshoe crab, whelk, and party/charter boat permit holders must complete and submit to DEC an accurate VTR for each fishing trip, detailing all fishing activities and all species landed. Review the complete list of Marine Permits and Licenses here.
If you hold a Hudson River Marine Permit or Delaware River Eel Weir Permit you must also complete and submit to DEC an accurate VTR for each fishing trip.
If you hold a federal fishing permit issued by NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), you must instead satisfy the reporting requirements specified by NMFS. For each year that you hold a federal permit the DEC requests the submission of a federal confirmation form. We use this form to avoid sending state VTR correspondence to federally permitted fishers. Under special permit reporting requirements, federal permit holders must submit a copy of their federal reports with commercial tautog, striped bass and horseshoe crab landings to DEC. It is unnecessary to submit copies of federal reports with landings other than tautog, striped bass or horseshoe crab to DEC.
How To Submit VTRs
Online, via app or website
DEC has partnered with the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program (ACCSP) to develop a reporting application for commercial fishers and dealers. eTrips Mobile 2 is the app, and Standard Atlantic Fisheries Information System (SAFIS) is the website.
To fulfil your permit reporting requirements, you must create an account by contacting DEC Marine Fisheries Data Management Unit (MFDM) here, or by email or phone. Include your email address, desired username, vessel name and documentation number. You will be set up with an account and emailed further reporting instructions.
To set up an account to submit VTRs, email or call: [email protected] | 631-444-0857. Monday through Friday 8:00AM – 4:45PM.
Paper
Paper forms may be provided by DEC MFDM Unit only upon request. They are carbon-copied in triplicate with a white, yellow, and pink page. The white copy is to be submitted to DEC, and the yellow and pink copies are for your records. Each paper VTR has a unique six-digit serial number, and the forms cannot be photocopied or downloaded and printed.
Request paper forms online using the form located here or by contacting DEC MFDM to ask for a set amount. Once the report is filled out, email, fax, or mail them by the 15th of the following month to:
NYSDEC Division of Marine Resources Attn: MFDM
123 Kings Park Blvd.
Kings Park, NY 11754
email: [email protected] or fax: 631-444-5628.
Questions about reporting? Contact DEC MFDM at 631-444-0857 Monday through Friday, 8:00AM – 4:45PM.
When To Submit VTRs
VTRs must be submitted to DEC within 15 days after the end of each month. If no fishing trips were taken during an entire month, a no-fishing report must be submitted. Did Not Fish (DNF) reports or not fishing forms may be submitted for future months if no fishing activities are anticipated into the future
VTR Reporting Compliance
Throughout the year, permit holders will receive reminders by email or mail notifying them of the month(s) that DEC did not receive VTRs or not fishing forms. In the fall, when the DEC begins the permit renewal process, all permit holders who have not reported for three or more of the months that their permit has been issued, will not be able to renew their permit until all months are accounted for. The permit renewal application will include a letter that reminds you of each month(s) missing reports. The permit renewal applications will not be mailed or processed until the outstanding VTRs are filed with the DEC.
If there is a continued disregard for reporting, legal action will be taken. New York State law authorizes the DEC to collect up to $250 in penalties for each failure to submit a VTR and potential permit revocation.
