The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and New England Fishery Management Council voted in December 2019 and January 2020 respectively to require commercial fishermen to submit vessel trip reports (VTRs) electronically as eVTRs instead of on paper for all species managed by either Council. This action also applies to for-hire party/charter vessels with permits for species managed by the New England Council. Vessels issued for-hire permits for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Council have been required to submit vessel trip reports electronically since March 2018.

The purpose of this framework is to: 

1. Increase the timeliness and availability of data submitted through VTRs;
2. Reduce the reporting burden on commercial vessel operators by eliminating the need for paper-based reporting; and
3. Increase the accuracy and quality of data by reducing errors from trying to recall catch and effort associated with delayed completion of paper forms.