VMS Daily Catch Reports - Average 5-day Length Trips

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE
Office of Law Enforcement
Northeast Division
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930-2276

VMS Reporting Instructions for Vessel Owners/Operators
SkyMate 1500 & M1600 Version
Effective – August 29, 2020
These instructions are developed for the use of vessel owners and operators who are required to
maintain a VMS unit and send reports in accordance with the Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations
at 50 CFR 648.9 and 648.10. These instructions supplement these regulations and do not replace
them. Owners and operators are encouraged to review the regulations.
These instructions are also available on-line through the NOAA website:
New England/Mid-Atlantic webpage - https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/new-england-mid-atlantic
and
Office of Law Enforcement webpage - https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/enforcement

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Table of Contents
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – IN PORT .................................................................................4
Continuous Reporting .......................................................................................................................4
Power Down and Letter of Exemption (LOE) ..................................................................................4
Table 1 – In Port VMS Reporting Requirements…………………………………………….. 4
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – BEFORE LEAVING PORT .................................................5
VMS Power .......................................................................................................................................5
VMS Hardware .................................................................................................................................5
VMS Software...................................................................................................................................5
Activity Declaration ..........................................................................................................................5
Fishing Inside of, or Inside & Outside of, the VMS Demarcation Line on a Trip ....................6
Fishing on the Same VMS Declaration that was Last Declared ................................................6
Chart 1 – Multispecies Broad Stock Areas (BSA) ...................................................................7
Chart 2 - Eastern and Western U.S./Canada Management Areas ............................................8
Chart 3 - Multispecies Special Access Program (SAP) Areas .................................................9
Chart 4 - Monkfish Northern Fishery Management Area/Offshore Fishery Program Area ..10
Declaring Out of Fishery.................................................................................................................11
Declaring the Monkfish Option with a Multispecies Declaration ..................................................12
Declaration Code.............................................................................................................................12
Declaration Acknowledgment .........................................................................................................12
SkyMate Code Log .........................................................................................................................12
Required VMS Reports ...................................................................................................................12
Table 2 - VMS Forms Required to be Sent before Leaving Port ............................................12
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – AT SEA AND RETURNING TO PORT ...........................12
VMS Demarcation Line ..................................................................................................................12
Trip Start and End ...........................................................................................................................13
Position Reporting...........................................................................................................................13
If the VMS Unit Stops Positioning .................................................................................................13
NMFS Courtesy E-Mail Notification of Trip Start and End ...........................................................13
Secondary Courtesy E-Mail Address Service .................................................................................14
If You Do Not Receive Your Trip E-mail(s) ..................................................................................14
Declaring an Incorrect VMS Activity Declaration .........................................................................14
Changing the VMS Declaration during a Trip ................................................................................14
Declaring a Multispecies or Monkfish ‘Flex’ Trip ..................................................................15
‘Flipping’ the Multispecies Days-at-Sea (DAS) Type.............................................................15
Changing from a Multispecies to a Monkfish DAS Declaration .............................................15
Required VMS Reports ...................................................................................................................16
Table 3 - VMS Forms Required to be Sent While in the NE Fishery .....................................16
VMS E-Mail Messaging .................................................................................................................16
Trip ‘Stitching’ ................................................................................................................................17
ADDITIONAL VMS INFORMATION ...........................................................................................17
DAS Charging for VMS Trips ........................................................................................................17
VMS Messaging Costs ....................................................................................................................17
Replacing Your Vessel’s VMS Unit ...............................................................................................17
Removing Your Vessel’s VMS Unit ..............................................................................................17
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Contacting the VMS Team .............................................................................................................18
Table 4 - VMS Team Contact List ..........................................................................................18
Alternate E-Mail Address to Contact the VMS Team ....................................................................18
Contacting the VMS Support Center ..............................................................................................18
VMS Reimbursement Program .......................................................................................................18
Contacting NMFS Enforcement ......................................................................................................18
Contacting your VMS Vendor ........................................................................................................19
CHANGE LOG ..................................................................................................................................20
ATTACHMENT 1 - Declarations & Forms –VMS NE Forms Release Number 20191001……….22
ATTACHMENT 2 - How to ‘Confirm the Use of a Previous VMS Code’ .......................................45
ATTACHMENT 3 - Groundfish Catch Reporting Requirements (Flow Diagram) ..........................47

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REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – IN PORT
1. Continuous Reporting. While in port your VMS is required to continuously report your vessel’s
position to NMFS. Scallop-permitted vessels must report every half-hour, while all other vessels
report hourly.
2. Power Down and Letter of Exemption (LOE). You may turn the power off to your VMS under
specific conditions. You must first consider all of your active GAR permits that require a VMS –
your most restrictive reporting requirement will apply. Table 1 below shows VMS reporting
requirements by permit:
Permit (Note 1)
Limited Access
Scallop
Surfclam
Ocean Quahog
Herring

Category
2,3,5,6,7,8

Start of each Fishing Year:
Must report 24/7 every half-hour.

1
6
A,B,C,E,
Carrier

Maine Mahogany
Quahog (Note 2)
LAGC Scallop (general
category)

7

Must report 24/7 every hour.
Must report 24/7 every hour.
Must report 24/7 every hour, except Carrier
which must report 24/7 from 1st carrier trip
declared via VMS.
Must report 24/7 every hour from 1st MMQ
trip, regardless of fishing year
Must report 24/7 every half-hour.

Multispecies (Note 3)

A,D,E,F

Monkfish

F

Longfin & Illex Squid, and
Butterfish Moratorium
Mackerel
When electing to provide
VMS notifications under:

1A,1B,5, 6

Monkfish
Occasional Scallop

A,B,C

Exception (Note 4)

May apply for
NMFS Letter of
Exemption (LOE).

May declare the
Power Down
declaration (Note 1).

Must report 24/7 every hour from 1st
groundfish trip taken and for remainder of
fishing year.
Must report 24/7 every hour during the
Offshore Fishery Program season October 1
to April 30 only.
Must report 24/7 every hour.
May apply for LOE.

T1,T2,T3

A,B,C,D
4,9

Must report 24/7 every hour.
Must report 24/7 from 1st elected VMS trip
taken and for remainder of fishing year.
Reports every hour.
Reports every half-hour.

Table 1 – In Port VMS Reporting Requirements
•

Note 1. Your most restrictive permit applies in determining whether you can power down your VMS
in port. Example – if you hold an LAGC scallop permit and a surfclam permit, you must report 24/7
at the dock/mooring and cannot declare the power down code.

•

Note 2. These vessels are not required to use a VMS until they fish for, land, take, possess or transfer
ocean quahogs under a limited access Maine mahogany quahog permit. From that point forward, they
must keep the VMS unit on at all times and make trip declarations for as long as the permit is issued
to the vessel.

•

Note 3. Sector vessels must have an operational VMS installed when (1) fishing on a sector trip
declared into the groundfish fishery, or (2) when targeting monkfish or skate on a groundfish days-atsea (DAS); the VMS must be on and used from the first trip until the end of the fishing year. There

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may be annual NMFS exemptions that apply to certain sectors. Common pool vessels must have an
operational VMS installed when (1) taking the first groundfish DAS trip, or (2) when Category C and
HA-permitted vessels are fishing in more than one Broad Stock Area; they must also keep the VMS
on and use VMS for all subsequent trips through the fishing year.
•

Note 4. The regulations at 50 CFR 648.10(c)(2) allow a vessel to power off their VMS after (1)
obtaining a NMFS Letter of Exemption (LOE), or (2) sending the power down declaration. The
vessel’s most restrictive permit will determine which situation applies. Circumstances that allow an
owner to obtain an LOE include (1) the vessel is expected to be out of the water for > 72 consecutive
hours, or (2) the vessel will be dockside or moored for a minimum of 30 consecutive days (the vessel
may not engage in any fisheries or move from the dock/mooring until the VMS unit is turned back
on). The request must be made in advance of the intended exemption period. The LOE application
form is available on the VMS web page or by contacting the VMS Team (see Page 18). Fill it out and
e-mail, fax or mail it to the VMS Team in advance of the date you intend to turn the VMS unit off.
You may not turn your VMS unit off until you receive your LOE from NMFS. The LOE must reside
on the vessel at all times.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS - BEFORE LEAVING PORT
1. VMS Power. If your VMS has been powered off, turn it on and confirm that the unit is reporting
normally. You may call the VMS Team to ensure that OLE is receiving your vessel’s signal.
2. VMS Hardware. Be sure that your tablet is connected to your SkyMate I1500 or M1600 VMS.
The tablet is required in order to be VMS-compliant at sea as it allows NMFS to communicate with
your vessel via e-mail.
3. VMS Software. Run the current version of NMFS-required SkyMate software on your tablet.
Failure to install the required software will compromise your ability to send proper declarations and
forms, and may lead to enforcement action. The software is available from SkyMate via an internet
connection to your tablet. The vendor offers software loading instructions and an installation video.
SkyMate may also be able to send the software over the air. It is also typically available from an
authorized SkyMate dealer and on the SkyMate website at www.skymate.com (see ‘Downloads’).
To verify, press the ‘Home’ button, then ‘VMS’, and then ‘Setup’. Under ‘VMS Configuration
Parameters’, check the ‘VMS NE Forms Release Number’ as shown below:
Effective November 25, 2019 – VMS NE Forms Release Number 20191001
4. Activity Declaration. For every trip, begin by pressing the ‘SkyMate’ icon on the Main screen,
then ‘VMS’ on the Home screen, then ‘Northeast’, and then ‘Activity NE’. Press ‘Activity NE’ and
then the appropriate fishing activity (multispecies sector trip, multispecies common pool trip,
monkfish trip, etc), complete the required steps (and any appropriate optional steps) and send an
activity declaration for your intended trip (see two exceptions below). Your SkyMate VMS software
has built-in logic that helps you make and send a ‘valid’ declaration (‘valid’ means NMFS
regulations allow your chosen combination of gear, DAS, area(s), broad stock area(s), etc.).
When selecting areas and broad stock areas to fish, Charts 1-4 on pages 7-10 may be useful. When
your selections are valid, the ‘Send’ button will appear above and to the left of the declaration menu.
Attachment 1 provides you with screen views and guidance for each of the SkyMate declarations
and forms. Please familiarize yourself with the declaration screens before reading on (note the
‘steps’ in many of the declaration screens). Paragraphs 5 and 6 below provide guidance on sending
a declaration for ‘Declare Out of Fishery’ (DOF) trips and ‘Monkfish Option’ trips.
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a. Exception 1 - Fishing Inside of, or Inside & Outside of, the VMS Demarcation Line
on a Trip. VMS starts and ends trips as the vessel crosses the VMS demarcation line (see page 12
for an explanation) and is not able to accurately calculate trip length in these situations. If you intend
to fish completely inside the VMS demarcation line, or fish both inside and outside the demarcation
line on the same trip, you must (1) declare the trip through the Interactive Voice Response (IVR)
Call-In system (1-888-284-4904) and (2) declare the DOF-CML (Fishing – Commercial) activity
declaration on your VMS unit (Note – If you experience difficulty using the IVR system, call the
Analysis and Program Support Division (APSD) for assistance at (978) 281-9234. APSD also
maintains a back-up IVR message line at 888-487-9994).
b. Exception 2 - Fishing on the Same VMS Declaration that was Last Declared. This
alternative method allows owner/operators to call the IVR system and follow the prompts to
‘Confirm the Use of a Previous VMS Code’. It is not to be used in lieu of an inoperable VMS.
This feature saves you the step of sending a declaration from your VMS unit and will provide you
with a confirmation number; however, it may only be used if your declaration is identical to the last
declaration received by NMFS. The IVR system will report to you the last 12-character VMS
declaration ‘code’ received from your vessel so be prepared to know the declaration code you wish
to use for your trip. See Attachment 2 for directions on how to use this feature.
Charts 1-4 on the following pages depict various regulatory areas to assist you with Multispecies and
Monkfish declaration reporting.

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Chart 1 - Multispecies Broad Stock Areas (BSA) (50 CFR 648.10(k)(3))
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Chart 2 – Eastern and Western US/Canada Management Areas (50 CFR 648.85(a))
Note – Both the Eastern and Western US/CA Areas are entirely within the Offshore Georges Bank
Broad Stock Area (OGB BSA). Therefore, when declaring either the Eastern or Western US/CA, or
both, under the Broad Stock Area question you must also select the OGB BSA.
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Chart 3 – Multispecies Special Access Program (SAP) Areas (50 CFR 648.85(b))
Note – Both SAPs are entirely within the Offshore Georges Bank Broad Stock Area (OGB BSA).
Therefore, when declaring either the Eastern US/CA Haddock SAP, CA-2 Yellowtail Flounder/
Haddock SAP, or both, under the Broad Stock Area question you must also select the OGB BSA.
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Chart 4 – Monkfish Northern Fishery Management Area (50 CFR 648.91(a)) and
Offshore Fishery Program Area (50 CFR 648.95(c))
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Note – When declaring a Monkfish trip and also using Multispecies days-at-sea, you must declare
those multispecies broad stock areas (BSAs) you intend to fish. The Monkfish Northern Fishery
Management Area (NFMA) covers all four (4) BSAs as shown above; you must select one or all of
the BSAs you intend to fish. The Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA) is the area entirely
outside the NFMA; if you intend to fish any part of your trip in the SFMA, you must also select one
or all of the four BSAs you intend to fish.
For those few Monkfish Category F permit holders who fish the Offshore Fishery Program Area and
also intend to use Multispecies days-at-sea, this area covers two BSAs – you must select the
Offshore Georges Bank (OGB) BSA and/or Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE-MA) BSA.
5. Declaring Out of Fishery. These declarations are used whenever the vessel’s activity will be any
activity other than the requirement to declare a limited access scallop trip, general category scallop
trip, multispecies sector or common pool trip, monkfish days-at-sea trip, herring trip, surfclam trip,
ocean quahog trip, Maine mahogany quahog trip, longfin or illex squid trip, or mackerel trip. This
declaration is also appropriate for any vessel movement away from the dock/mooring when no
fishing activity is intended (for example, transits, equipment shakedown/testing, retrieving lost gear,
etc). You will find the Declare Out of Fishery or DOF declaration screen by selecting on your
SkyMate VMS screen:
Activity NE  More  More  DOF
There are seven (7) DOF declarations to choose from, as follows:
•

Transit without Product Onboard. Select for all transits between ports when there is no
fishing activity, as well as equipment shakedown/testing, retrieving lost gear, etc.
(VMS code: DOF-TST-XXXXXX).

•

Transit with Product Onboard. Select for all transits authorized by regulations in which the
vessel is declaring out of a VMS-required fishery and there is product onboard the vessel
(VMS code: DOF-TSP-XXXXXX).

•

Fishing - Commercial. Select for trips when fishing that does not require a declaration for
the species listed above (Para. 5) or for activities covered by Exception 1 on page 6. This
declaration also requires you to choose your intended gear (VMS code: DOF-CMLXXX?XX, where ‘?’ represents the gear code chosen).

•

Exempted Fishing Permit. Select for trips when fishing on an EFP and targeting species not
addressed in the other declaration macros. This declaration also requires you to choose your
intended gear. (VMS code: DOF-EFP-XXX?XX where ‘?’ represents the gear code chosen).

•

Fishing - Recreational/Charter. Select for recreational and charter fishing trips (VMS code:
DOF-REC-XXXXXX).

•

Scientific Research. Select for trips involving scientific research activity when not on an
Experimental fishing permit (VMS code: DOF-SCI-XXXXXX). This declaration also
requires you to choose your type of research – NMFS Letter of Acknowledgment (LOA) or
Other Research.

•

NAFO. Select only when permitted by NMFS to participate in the Northwest Atlantic
Fisheries Organization (NAFO) outside the U.S. EEZ (VMS code: DOF-NAF-XXXXXX).
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6. Declaring the Monkfish Option with a Multispecies Declaration. If you anticipate exceeding
the monkfish incidental catch limit while on a multispecies sector or DAS trip and want to retain the
monkfish caught, declare the monkfish option in Step 1. This action preserves your ability to change
to a monkfish DAS trip later while at sea (you do not accrue Monkfish DAS unless you decide
during the trip to redeclare your trip as a Monkfish trip). However, you must fish your multispecies
trip entirely within the monkfish Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA). Your VMS code will
show either an ‘M’ (for monkfish option) or an ‘I’ (for monkfish option and on an EFP trip) in the
2nd to last character. To declare the option, go to the appropriate multispecies sector or common pool
declaration screen, then read the text in Step 1 and click the box to the left of ‘Yes’.
7. Declaration Code. Your declaration is converted by your VMS software into a 12-character
VMS code (format: XXX-XXX-XXXXXX) and transmitted to NMFS when you press the ‘Send’
button. The top left corner of your screen will display a message stating “Declaration Queued for
delivery”. Check the code and description to be sure they accurately reflect your intended activity.
8. Declaration Acknowledgment. Regulations require that you send an accurate declaration;
therefore, you are encouraged to await an acknowledgment. When your declaration is received by
the satellite provider’s gateway or LES (Land-Earth Station), the top left corner of your screen will
display, “Declaration code (12-character code) successfully delivered.” The acknowledgment is your
confirmation that NMFS will receive the declaration that you sent. You may always call the VMS
Team during the workday to confirm receipt of your declaration.
9. SkyMate Code Log. A list of all declarations sent is stored in your software Code Log. The Code
Log is found by going to ‘Activity NE’, and then selecting any of the declarations listed. Select the
Code Log in the upper left corner to view the record of declarations sent.
10. Required VMS Reports. Your VMS software also includes several required forms (reports).
We have covered the sending of an activity declaration prior to leaving port. Now, we will discuss
those forms that, if appropriate for your intended activity, must be sent before leaving port. A list of
these forms is in Table 2 below. See Attachment 1 to view these forms.
VMS Form
Multispecies Trip Start Hail

RSA & EFP Trip Start Hail

Must be sent by:
All Sector vessels declaring a groundfish
trip only when intending to fish on a
NMFS exemption/option.
All vessels as required by their NMFS
RSA or EFP Letter of Authorization.

Purpose
To provide advance notification
to enforcement personnel.
To provide advance notification
to enforcement personnel and to
track individual RSA quota.

Table 2 – VMS Forms Required to be sent before Leaving Port
REPORTING REQUIREMENTS – AT SEA AND RETURNING TO PORT
1. VMS Demarcation Line. The VMS demarcation line is defined by a series of lines connecting
51 coordinates as described in 50 CFR 648.10 and the VMS web page. The line generally follows
the contour of the Eastern Seaboard from northern Maine to North Carolina. When your vessel
crosses the VMS demarcation line, the NMFS monitoring system automatically records a trip start
and trip end event for your trip. Your trip starts on the first VMS position seaward of the line and
ends with the first VMS position shoreward of the line.
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2. Trip Start and End. A VMS trip consists of the VMS-assigned Trip Identification Number,
VMS Activity Declaration (Code), Trip Start Date/Time, Trip End Date/Time, and Trip Duration. A
VMS trip automatically starts on the first position report sent by your VMS unit that is seaward of
the demarcation line (defined as ‘in the Northeast Fishery’). A VMS trip automatically ends on the
first position report shoreward of the demarcation line upon the return to port. The declaration that is
initially associated with the trip and reported to you in the Trip Start e-mail (described below) is the
last declaration successfully received from your vessel prior to leaving port. The declaration reported
to you in the Trip End e-mail is the final declaration associated with the trip and recorded in the
VMS and GARFO databases.
Note - Do not declare out of the fishery on your return to port to end your trip or stop your
days-at-sea clock – as previously stated, your trip automatically ends with the first VMS position
shoreward of the demarcation line on the return to port.
3. Position Reporting. Your vessel’s VMS unit must be operational by sending automatic position
reports, and be capable of sending and receiving messages. If you hold a VMS-required limited
access or general category scallop permit, your VMS must send position reports on a half-hourly
basis regardless of the vessel’s activity. For all other permits requiring the use of VMS, the unit must
send automatic position reports on an hourly basis regardless of the vessel’s activity. For vessels that
hold multiple permits, the most restrictive VMS reporting rate applies. If you replace your VMS
unit, be sure the replacement unit is correctly set to your vessel’s proper reporting rate.
To determine if your SkyMate VMS is positioning normally and sending required position reports to
NMFS, press on “Position” on the Home screen. Next, press ‘Position’, ’Select Layers’ and ‘My
Position’. Scroll down to view both the chart and a table below it showing the date, latitude,
longitude and method. If ‘Method’ shows ‘GPS’, it means the GPS antenna and receiver are in good
working order. The positional data should be valid. If ‘Method’ shows ‘No Fix’, it means the GPS
antenna/receiver is not functioning well and no position will be displayed. If this situation persists,
check the GPS connection at this point and call SkyMate (see page 19) for technical support.
4. If the VMS Unit Stops Positioning. Please be sure that your VMS unit is well maintained and
sending the required position reports. Periodically check your unit to ensure it is positioning
normally. If your VMS unit stops functioning (positioning and/or messaging) and you are unable to
restore normal operation, your vessel is no longer VMS-compliant and continuing to fish may result
in a violation. Notify the VMS Team, and have the unit checked/repaired and returned to operational
status before the next trip.
5. NMFS Courtesy E-Mail Notification of Trip Start and End. The VMS Team manages a script
that automatically sends a courtesy trip start and trip end e-mail to your VMS unit for every trip. All
costs associated with courtesy e-mails are paid for by NMFS; no cost is incurred by your vessel.
The Trip Start e-mail is sent approximately 4 hours after a trip start is recorded by the NMFS
monitoring system. The message will be in the following format (example shown):
From: NMFS.OLE.NE@noaa.gov
To:
(vessel’s VMS unit e-mail address)
Subject: F/V (name) - Trip Start
Trip Start:
2019-12-01 09:30
Trip ID:
1301010
VMS Code: NMS-SEC-OPXWXA. If code is incorrect, return to a port & redeclare.
NE VMS Team: 978-281-9213.

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Note - The trip start email that your VMS unit receives from NMFS is not a confirmation of your
trip declaration, but only provides the most-recent declaration received from your vessel.
The Trip End e-mail is sent approximately 6-8 hours after a trip end is recorded. If your VMS is
powered down while in port, delivery of the message to your VMS may time out before you receive
it. You can also provide the VMS Team with a personal e-mail address to receive the trip start/end emails and other e-mails from NMFS (see Secondary Courtesy E-Mail Address Service below).
The delays in delivery of trip start and end e-mails are a necessary feature of the NMFS VMS trip
generation system to ensure accurate trip accounting. The message will be in the following format
(example shown):
From: NMFS.OLE.NE@NOAA.GOV
To:
(vessel’s VMS unit e-mail address)
Subject: F/V (name) - Trip End
Trip End: 2019-12-01 21:30
VMS Code: NMS-SEC-OPXWXA
Trip ID:
1301010
Trip Length: 0.5 days

6. Secondary Courtesy E-Mail Address Service. The VMS Team maintains an e-mail service that
allows owners to receive trip e-mails and other NMFS VMS correspondence with the vessel via the
owner’s personal e-mail address. Contact the VMS Team. There is no charge to the vessel owner for
this service.
7. If You Do Not Receive Your Trip E-mail(s). The VMS Team stops the trip generation program
temporarily any time that a delay in delivery of VMS data is detected from one or more VMS
vendors. This is necessary to prevent problems with the proper generation of trips that could affect
trip accounting. Once the trip generator is restarted, any backlog of trip e-mails should be sent to
your vessel and, if appropriate, the secondary e-mail address. For questions, call the VMS Team.
8. Declaring an Incorrect VMS Activity Declaration. If your vessel leaves port on a trip and you
declared the wrong activity, it’s recommended that you return the vessel to a port (or inside the VMS
demarcation line for scallop-permitted vessels on scallop trips) and redeclare the proper activity
through your VMS unit. If unable to do so, notify the VMS Team. You do not necessarily have to
return to the port from which you departed. The vessel must be in a port, or as close to the port as
safety dictates.
9. Changing the VMS Declaration during a Trip. When in the NE Fishery, your VMS unit does
not allow you to change your trip declaration, except under three specific situations:
•
•
•

Declaring a ‘flex’ on a groundfish or monkfish trip;
Flipping the groundfish DAS type from ‘B’ to ‘A’, when possession limits are exceeded; and
Changing from a multispecies trip to a monkfish DAS trip (only if the monkfish option was
declared in port).

If eligible, a vessel may flex, flip and change to a monkfish declaration only once per trip. These
actions do not necessarily have to occur simultaneously. These three situations are further described
below.
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Note – Except under specific circumstances when the use of ‘Declare out of Fishery with
Product Onboard’ is authorized by NMFS, you may not send another activity declaration after
crossing the demarcation line upon return to port while you have product onboard the vessel.
a. Declaring a Multispecies or Monkfish ‘FLEX’ Trip. A flex is declared at sea in the NE
Fishery by adding fishing area(s) to the groundfish or monkfish declaration that you sent in port.
The flex option is addressed in Step 4 of the declaration menu screens. Only one flex per trip is
allowed. Sector and common pool vessels have different flex options. To declare a flex, go to the
declaration screen that you used to make your initial declaration for the trip, then:
•
•

For Steps 1-3.
For Step 4.

•

For Step 5.

•

For Step 6.

Choose the same selections you made in port.
Choose the same program areas that you made in port, and then choose
additional areas you want to fish.
Choose the same broad stock areas (BSAs) that you made in port, and,
if appropriate, choose any additional BSAs that you want to fish. Be
sure that you select BSAs that encompass the program area(s) that you
chose in step 4.
Choose the same EFP selection you made in port.

b. ‘Flipping’ the Multispecies Days-at-Sea (DAS) Type. This situation applies to
Multispecies Common Pool vessels only. When multispecies trip limits are exceeded while fishing
on a declared Regular or Reserve ‘B’ DAS trip, you must change or ‘flip’ your VMS trip declaration
to ‘A’ DAS. To flip, go to the Multispecies Common Pool declaration screen that you used to make
your initial declaration for the trip, then:
• Steps 1-2.
Choose the same selections you made in port.
• Step 3.
Choose ‘Mults A-DAS’.
• Step 4-5.
Choose the same selections you made in port.
• Step 6.
Choose the same EFP selection you made in port.
c. Changing from a Multispecies to a Monkfish DAS Declaration. To invoke the
monkfish option that you selected with your initial declaration, and change to a monkfish DAS
declaration at sea, go to the Monkfish declaration screen, then:
•
•
•
•
•

Step 1.
Step 2.
Step 3.
Step 4-5.
Step 6.

Choose the same selection you made in port.
Choose both Monkfish and Mults DAS.
Choose ‘NFMA’.
Choose the same selections you made in port.
Choose the same EFP selection you made in port.

Your new Monkfish declaration will retain the trip modifier ‘M’ (for Monkfish Option) or ‘I’ (for
Monkfish Option on an EFP trip) in the 2nd to last character of the code. You may also flex (one
time) either before, during or after changing to a Monkfish DAS declaration. If you do not intend to
invoke the monkfish option and want to remain on a groundfish trip declaration, no action is
required and you may land your trip on the original declaration. Remember, if you declare the
monkfish option before leaving port but decide to fish any part of your trip in the monkfish SFMA,
you forfeit your option to change to a Monkfish DAS declaration. Your VMS screen provides brief
instructions for changing to a Monkfish DAS declaration. The instructions are located on the Sector
and Common Pool Multispecies declaration screens.
15

10. Required VMS Reports. The forms shown below are required to be sent from your VMS unit,
as appropriate, while your vessel is at sea and seaward of the VMS demarcation line. A list of these
forms is shown in Table 3 below. See Attachment 1 to view these forms and specific reporting
instructions.
VMS Form
Multispecies
Catch Report
Multispecies Trip
End Hail
Monkfish Trip
Limit Overage
DAS Adjustment
Scallop Daily
Catch Report
Scallop PreLanding
Notification

Herring Daily
Catch Report
Herring
Pre-Landing
Notification
Mackerel and
Squid Daily
Catch Report
Mackerel PreLanding
Notification
RSA and EFP
Trip End Hail

Must be sent by:
Vessels on groundfish-declared trips on a daily or trip-level basis, and
upon switching to smaller mesh to fish under an exemption/option.
Refer to the flow chart in Attachment 3 for guidance.
All vessels on groundfish-declared trips at least 6 hours before
arrival.
Those vessels on monkfish-declared trips that exceed their DAS
charge, before crossing the VMS demarcation line on return to port.

All vessels on declared scallop trips by 9 am daily. This report is not
required for vessels on a single-day trip and sending a scallop prelanding notification.
Limited Access and LAGC vessels on the following trips at least 6
hours before arrival (or upon crossing shoreward of the demarcation
line when a limited access vessel declares out of the limited access
scallop day-at-sea fishery to transit to a port south of 39 degrees
North with scallops onboard):
(1) All vessels on a declared limited access or LAGC scallop trip;
(2) A vessel with an LAGC IFQ or NGOM scallop permit is retaining
scallops when not on a declared scallop trip;
(3) Declaring out of the limited access scallop day-at-sea fishery to
transit to a port south of 39 degrees North with scallops onboard.
All vessels on a declared herring trip by 9 am daily.

All vessels on a declared herring trip at least 6 hours before arrival.

Purpose
To report VTR and estimated
weights prior to landing.
To provide advance notice for
the monitoring of offloads.
To report that the daily trip
limit was exceeded by one
extra limit so that the vessel’s
DAS charge may be adjusted.
To report VTR and estimated
weights prior to landing.
To provide advance notice for
the monitoring of offloads.

To report VTR, and estimated
pounds kept and discarded
prior to landing.
To provide advance notice for
the monitoring of offloads.

All vessels on a declared mackerel or squid trip by 9 am daily.

To report VTR and estimated
weights prior to landing.

All vessels on mackerel-declared trips when the landing will exceed
20,000 lbs at least 6 hours before arrival.

To provide advance notice for
the monitoring of offloads.

All vessels at least 6 hours before arrival as required by their NMFS
RSA or EFP Letter of Authorization.

To provide advance notice for
the monitoring of offloads and
to track individual RSA quota.

Table 3 – VMS Forms Required to be Sent While in the NE Fishery
11. VMS E-Mail Messaging. The VMS Team uses e-mail to communicate with your vessel via the
VMS. Communications include notifying all VMS vessels of short-notice regulatory changes (area
closures, possession limits, etc) and notifying individual vessel operators of potential closed area
incursions, VMS non-reporting, declaration miscodings, requests to contact a NMFS enforcement
agent or officer, etc. In addition to other notification methods, the Coast Guard may request the
VMS vendors to send a severe weather warning. For these purposes, it is important that you monitor
16

your incoming VMS e-mail and maintain the capability to send outgoing e-mail.
12. Trip ‘Stitching’. The trip stitching function is a part of the VMS trip generation program. Its
purpose is to keep a trip open if a vessel briefly enters and positions shoreward of the VMS
demarcation line then exits outside the line to continue its trip. The individual trip segments are
stitched or joined together as one trip. For example, vessels that transit through Vineyard and
Nantucket Sound may cross the demarcation line several times on their outbound or inbound trip. If
trip stitching was not applied, a single trip may be recorded by NMFS as two or more trips, affecting
the trip length and/or DAS charge. The rules associated with trip stitching are:
a. Did the base VMS declaration code (first 6 characters, ie, XXX-XXX) remain the same
before and after the vessel entered the demarcation line? and;
b. Was the vessel inside the demarcation line for less than 4 hours (or, less than 55 minutes
for LAGC scallop trips)?
If the answer to both questions above is yes, trip stitching will keep the trip intact so that only
one trip is recorded. An unintended effect of trip stitching may occur when a vessel ends one trip
then departs on another trip within 4 hours under the same base VMS code. Two separate trips may
be captured as a single trip. Also, entering back inside the demarcation line for longer than 4 hours,
such as transiting the Vineyard/Nantucket Sound area at slow speed, may result in a single trip being
recorded as two trips. If you believe that your trip has been erroneously affected by trip stitching,
call the VMS Team.
ADDITIONAL VMS INFORMATION
1. DAS Charging for VMS Trips. The DAS Program is managed by the Analysis and Program
Support Division (APSD). Please contact APSD for assistance at (978) 281-9234.
2. VMS Messaging Costs. Vessel owners are financially responsible for all regulatory reporting
requirements through VMS, which typically include the messaging shown below. It is recommended
that you confirm your payment plan and associated costs with your VMS vendor. NMFS pays for all
messages that we send to your vessel and for any additional position reports sent from your VMS
unit if NMFS temporarily increases your reporting rate. Vessel owners typically pay for:
•
•
•
•

All required 30 or 60-minute position reports sent to NMFS.
All NMFS-required VMS declarations and reports.
All other outgoing messages.
All incoming messages, except those originated by NMFS.

3. Replacing Your Vessel’s VMS Unit. Please notify the VMS Team within 3 days of installation
of the new unit and prior to your next trip. You will need to submit documentation that you have
installed an operational, approved VMS unit. Complete the VMS Certification form available under
the ‘Instructions & Forms’ tab on the VMS web page. Email, fax or mail the form to the VMS Team.
4. Removing Your Vessel’s VMS Unit. You may not remove the VMS from the vessel if you are
required to report using VMS. If you cancel or transfer your permits, or sell the vessel and will no
longer fish the vessel, contact your VMS vendor. The vendor is responsible for notifying NMFS of
any VMS unit deactivations. You may also call the VMS Team to advise us of your intentions.

17

5. Contacting the VMS Team. The VMS Team is located in the Northeast Enforcement Division
at: Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA, 01930.
•
•
•

Phone Number:
FAX Number:
Hours:

(978) 281-9213 (follow call prompts)
(978) 281-9317
7:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday

Name
Bill Semrau

Position
Program Manager

VMS Responsibility
Overall program management

Michelle
Cavanaugh

Technician

Zachary Fyke

Technician

Samantha
Tolken

Technician

Herring, Mackerel & Squid Reporting; Power
Down Letters of Exemption; Activations &
Deactivations; Welcome Letters
Scallop, Surfclam, Ocean Quahog, Maine
Mahogany Quahog & NAFO Reporting;
Power Down Letters of Exemption
Multispecies, Monkfish & NAFO Reporting;
Activations & Deactivations

Contact Info
William.Semrau@noaa.gov
(978) 281-9151
Michelle.Cavanaugh@noaa.gov
(978) 281-9239
Zachary.Fyke@noaa.gov
(978) 281-9274
Samantha.Tolken@noaa.gov
(978) 281-9230

Table 4 – VMS Team Contact List
6. Alternate E-Mail Address to Contact the VMS Team. You can send a VMS message at any
time to: nmfs.ole.ne@noaa.gov. The VMS Team monitors this mailbox during business hours and
will respond to your query. Your VMS Trip Start and End e-mails are sent from this address.
7. Contacting the VMS Support Center. If you are unable to reach the VMS Team, the National
VMS Support Center has extended hours of operation and may be able to answer general questions
about VMS registrations and vessel position reporting. The Support Center is also the primary point
of contact for the National VMS Reimbursement program (see below). The Support Center will refer
technical VMS questions to the appropriate vendor and regulatory questions to the Greater Atlantic
Region. The Support Center is located at NMFS Headquarters, Office of Law Enforcement, 1315
East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. Hours of operation are 7:00 am to 11:00 pm,
Monday-Friday. Their phone number is (888) 219-9228 (toll-free).
8. VMS Reimbursement Program. This program is centrally managed from OLE Headquarters,
Silver Spring, MD. On the VMS web page, refer to the section entitled ‘VMS Reimbursement
Program’ for a summary of the program, and a link to the latest Federal Register announcement of
May 6, 2008. Owners/operators who believe they may be eligible should call the VMS Support
Center to obtain a confirmation code then submit an application to the Pacific States Marine
Fisheries Commission (PSMFC). Contact the VMS Support Center or refer to the following website:
www.psmfc.org.
9. Contacting NMFS Enforcement. For law enforcement emergencies only, call the Enforcement
Hot Line toll-free on a 24-hour basis at (800) 853-1964. Please do not call the Hot Line for a VMSrelated equipment or technical issue; rather, contact your respective VMS vendor (below). For law
enforcement-related questions or concerns that are of a non-emergency nature, contact your local
NMFS enforcement office during business hours as follows:
a. Northeast Enforcement Division District 1 – New England:
•

Office:

Gloucester, MA
18

•
•

Coverage:
Phone Number:

Maine through Connecticut
(978) 281-9213

b. Northeast Enforcement Division District 2 – Mid-Atlantic:
•
•
•

Office:
Coverage:
Phone Number:

Wall, NJ
New York through Virginia
(732) 280-6490

10. Contacting your VMS Vendor. SkyMate may be reached at:
•
•
•
•
•

Address:
Phone:
E-mail:
Call Center:
Web Address:

11890 Sunrise Valley Drive, Suite 100, Reston, VA 20191
1-866-SKYMATE or (703) 961-5800
support@skymate.com
24/7 for technical support
http://www.skymate.com/

Attachments: (1) SkyMate Declarations and Forms – VMS NE Forms Release Number 20191001
(2) How to ‘Confirm the Use of a Previous VMS Code’
(3) Groundfish Catch Reporting Requirements

19

CHANGE LOG
DATE
11 Sep 2015

CHANGES
Incorporates all unique features of the SkyMate I1500 VMS into the basic SkyMate
Reporting Instructions.

28 Mar 2016

Pages 12-13, Multispecies Catch Report. For ‘Trip-Level Reporting’, changed the
‘multiple BSA’ requirement from Steps 1, 2 & 3 to Steps 1, 2 & 4. For ‘Redfish Exemption
Reporting’, changed the ‘switching codends’ requirement from Steps 1-4 to Steps 1-5. For
‘Small Mesh Exemption Reporting in Southern New England’, changed the ‘completing the
large mesh portion of the trip’ requirement from Steps 1, 2 & 4 to Steps 1, 2, 4 & 5.
Page 31. For ‘Trip-Level Reporting’, changed the ‘multiple BSA’ requirement from Steps 1,
2 & 3 to Steps 1, 2 & 4.
Page 1. New effective date – June 15, 2017.
Page 3. New Attachment 3.
Page 4. Added ‘Note 1’ to LAGC Scallop ‘Exceptions’. Added Illex Squid requirement.
Added text regarding sector exemptions.
Page 5. Changes to software instructions.
Page 7 Clarified text in DOF paragraph and updated DOF look-up.
Page 8. Added gear text to DOF-CML paragraph and revised the Code Log text.
Page 9. Clarified Trip Start Hail text in ‘Must be Sent By” block.
Pages 12 & 13. Multispecies Catch - Revised text in ‘Must be Sent By” block. Monkfish
DAS Overage - Added “by one limit” in “Purpose” block. Scallop & Squid/Mackerel Catch
and PreLanding - Text changes to “Must be Sent By” block.
Page 13. Changed Trip Stitching Rule for LAGC trips to 55 minutes.
Page 15. Added SMB Amendment 16 to the Reimbursement paragraph.
Attachment 1.
Multispecies and Monkfish declarations. Removed text that required the use of the IVR
Call-In System for scallop days-at-sea trips.
Scallop declaration. Revamped the format, added Elephant Trunk Flex Area, required that
an RSA filed be answered, and added gear reporting requirement for LAGC trips.
Surfclam/Ocean Quahog declaration. Added an optional third field to select a scallop
access area.
Squid declaration. Added a reporting requirement for Illex Squid. Removed the Squid RSA
field.
Declare Out of Fishery declaration. Added gear selections to DOF-CML declaration menu.
Powerdown declaration. Clarified the text.
Multispecies Catch. Revised smaller mesh field text.
Multispecies Trip Start Hail. Changed instruction text to ‘exemption and/or option’. Added
SNE Small Mesh Exemption and Extra-Large Mesh Gillnet option.
Scallop PreLanding. Revised instruction text (b). Added ‘All Other Fish Kept’ field.
Mackerel and Squid Catch. Added Illex Squid to ‘Species Kept’ field.
RSA/EFP Trip End Hail. Added field that asks if both commercial and RSA allocation will
be landed.
Page 14. Table 4. VMS Technician Ahles transferred out of OLE.
Attachment 3. Revised the (groundfish) catch report flow chart to reflect the regulatory
change implemented by GARFO and announced in their October 12, 2017 bulletin.
Page 5. New effective date and new forms release number.
Page 6. Added text at top of page that Charts 1-5 must not be used for the depiction of closed
areas.
Pg. 10. Added a ‘Note’ under paragraph 5.
Pg. 12. Scallop Daily Catch Report. Added text about single-day trips.
Pg. 14. Table 4. Added Samantha Tolken and updated responsibilities lists.

12 Jun 2017

23 Oct 2017

17 Apr 2018

20

DATE
17 Apr 2018
(cont’d)

1 Mar 2019

22 Oct 2019

29 Aug 2020

CHANGES
Pg. 15. Updated main phone number for the OLE D1 office.
Pgs. 27 & 28. Scallop Declaration. Revised screen. Revised instructions to allow selection
of new access areas and limited access NGOM RSA trip.
Pg. 29. Surfclam and Ocean Quahog Declaration. Revised screen to reflect new scallop
access area selections.
Pg. 32. Squid Declaration. Revised screen. Revised instructions to allow selection of a
combination longfin and illex trip.
Pg. 36. Multispecies Catch Report. Added text to the Step 5 instructions.
Pg. 40. Scallop Daily Catch Report. Revised screen to include text regarding single-day
trips.
Page 4. Table 1. Replaced the SMB-1 permit with the new SMB-1A and SMB-1B longfin
squid moratorium permits, and added the SMB-6 butterfish moratorium permit, all of which
now require use of a VMS.
Pg. 1. New effective date (Format 16) and new website text/views.
Pg. 5. New NMFS software release number.
Pgs. 7-10. New GIS charts 1-4 depicting reporting areas with notes.
Pg. 11. Added DOF-EFP declaration text, and DOF-SCI type of research text.
Pg. 12. Para 6 – Added ‘I’ for monkfish option on an EFP trip. Table 2. RSA/EFP Start Hail
- Revised text under ‘Purpose’.
Pg. 13. Para 4 - 3rd sentence. Revised text pertaining to action when VMS is no longer
compliant during a trip.
Pg. 14. Para 8 - Revised text pertaining to actions when the wrong VMS code is declared.
Pg. 15. Para 9a, 9b and 9c – Added Step 6. Para 9c - Added ‘I’ for monkfish option on an
EFP trip.
Pg. 16. Table 3. Revised text for when the Scallop Preland must be sent. Revised text under
‘Purpose’ column for the RSA/EFP End Hail.
Pg. 18. Removed regulatory actions under the reimbursement program and revised/
shortened the paragraph.
Pg. 19. Updated location and phone number of NE Division, District 1.
Attachment 1. Replaced all declaration and forms views with newer versions and updated
the instructions.
Pg. 13. Para. 3. Removed text “While away from the dock or mooring” from 1st

sentence.
Pg. 17. Para 3. Added email as a means to send the Certification form.
Pg. 18. Table 4. Updated VMS Team roster & duties.
Pgs 29-30. Updated the scallop declaration screens to reflect access area changes.

21

ATTACHMENT 1
SkyMate - VMS NE Forms Release Number 20191001
Declarations. The following views will show you how to navigate to each of the declaration
screens. On your tablet, press the SkyMate icon shown below. You may have to enter your
password at the ‘Authentication’ screen.

You should see the screen shown below. Press ‘VMS’ at the bottom of the screen.

Then, press ‘North East’:

22

And, then press ‘Activity NE':

Selecting ‘Activity NE’ brings up declaration selections for: Multispecies Sector, Multispecies
Common Pool, and Monkfish:

Selecting ‘More’ brings up declaration selections for: Scallop, Surfclam, and Herring:

23

Selecting ‘More’ again brings up selections for: Mackerel, Squid and DOF (Declare Out of Fishery)
and PWD (Power Down):

Declaration screens are shown on the following pages. Once you select the appropriate screen to
make your declaration, follow the steps when they are provided, and make note of which fields are
required and optional.
Scroll to your intended selections and click on the small square to the left. Your selections will be
indicated by a checkmark in the small square and the selection text will be bold. Once you’ve
answered at least all the required fields, the ‘Send’ button will appear at the top left of your screen.
Review your selections to ensure they describe your intended activity, and then press ‘Send’.
After sending a declaration, a message on your tablet will state: “Your request has been submitted
for acknowledgment. Keep your SkyMate software running in order to verify your delivery.” Also,
in the top left of your screen, it will state: “Declaration queued for delivery”.

24

When your declaration is sent, the following message appears at the top left of your screen:
“Declaration code (XXX-XXX-XXXXXX) successfully delivered.”

You can access your ‘Code Log’ from any of the declaration screens.

The Code Log displays a list of all your sent declarations:

25

Guidance for completing each declaration is shown in the red boxes to the left and right of the form.
*** Note: When selecting an area or areas to fish in from the appropriate declaration screen,
be sure that the area(s) is open for your intended fishing activity. The areas shown on your
VMS declaration screen are entirely independent of any regulation or action by NMFS that
opens or closes an area. For assistance on regulatory areas that are open or closed, contact the
GARFO Sustainable Fisheries Division (978-281-9315) or the VMS Team.
Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘Mults. Sector’ to view the ‘Declaration for Multispecies Sector’ trips:
Note – For sector (catch
share) vessel use only.
Step 1. Select ‘yes’ only if
you may need to change
your declaration while in the
NE Fishery to a monkfish
trip. Otherwise, leave blank.
Step 2. Select the gear you
intend to fish. Select only
one.
Step 3. Select either one of
the 3 choices, or select
multispecies (mults) A-DAS
and scallop DAS, as
appropriate.
Step 4. Select each area you
intend to fish.
To FLEX, reenter your
selections for steps 1-6
again, but select additional
areas and broad stock
area(s) (BSA) in Steps 4 and
5, respectively.
Step 5. Select the Broad
Stock Areas (BSA) that
encompass the areas
selected in Step 4.
Step 6. If you will fish under
a NMFS-authorized EFP,
select ‘Yes’. Otherwise,
select ‘No’.

26

Select ‘Activity NE’, then Mults. Common’ to view the ‘Declaration for Multispecies Common
Pool’ trips:
Note – For common pool
vessel use only.
Step 1. Select ‘yes’ only if you
may need to change your
declaration while in the NE
Fishery to a monkfish trip.
Otherwise, leave blank.
Step 2. Select the gear you
intend to fish. Select only one.
Step 3. Select the appropriate
Days at Sea (DAS) for your
trip. Your choices are:
- Multispecies (mults) A
- Mults B-Regular
- Mults B-Reserve
- Mults A & scallop
- Mults B-Regular & scallop
- Mults B-Reserve & scallop
To FLIP (change from a BDAS to an A-DAS), reenter
your selections for Steps 1-2
and 4-6 again, but select
Mults A in Step 3.
Step 4. Select each area you
intend to fish.
To FLEX, reenter your
selections for Steps 1-6 again,
but select additional areas
and broad stock area(s)
(BSA) in Steps 4 and 5,
respectively.
Step 5. Select the Broad
Stock Areas (BSA) that
encompass the area(s)
selected in Step 4.
Step 6. If you will fish under a
NMFS-authorized EFP, select
‘Yes’. Otherwise, select ‘No’.

27

Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘Monkfish’ to view the ‘Declaration for Monkfish’ trips:

Step 1. Select the gear you intend to
fish. Select only one.
Step 2. Unless this is a Monkfish RSA
trip, always select at least Monkfish
DAS.
Additionally, if appropriate, select
Multispecies (Mults) DAS and/or
Scallop DAS.
Step 3. Select one of the two areas
you intend to fish. Note - If you intend
to fish in both the NFMA and SFMA,
then select “Any part of trip fished in
SFMA.”
Step 4. Select each area you intend to
fish.
If you selected only Monkfish DAS in
Step 2, then select ‘Monkfish-Only’ (for
CAT F vessels, select ‘Monkfish
Offshore Area’). If you selected Mults
DAS in Step 2, you must select
appropriate Mults areas here.
To FLEX, reenter your selections for
steps 1-6 again, but select additional
area(s) and broad stock area(s) (BSA)
in Steps 4 and 5, respectively.
Step 5. Select the Broad Stock Area(s)
that encompass the mults areas
selected in Step 4. However, select
‘Monkfish-Only (No BSA declared)’ if
you did not select any Mults areas in
Step 4.
Step 6. If you will fish under a NMFSauthorized EFP, select ‘Yes’.
Otherwise, select ‘No’.

28

Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘More’, then ‘Scallop’ to view the ‘Declaration for Scallop’ trips:

Note - The LAGC
(general category)
scallop declaration is at
the top of the screen, and
the limited access
declaration is below it.
Step 1. First, make one
selection from either A, B
or C.

Step 2. Select the gear
you intend to fish.
Step 3. If you intend to fish
for RSA quota during part
or all of your trip, select
‘Yes’. Otherwise, select
‘No’.
Step 4. If you intend to fish
on a NMFS-authorized
EFP, select ‘Yes’.
Otherwise, select ‘No’.
Send your LAGC Scallop
declaration.

See the next page for the Limited Access Scallop declaration.

29

‘Declaration for Scallop’ trips (continued):
Note - The Limited
Access Scallop
declaration is below the
LAGC Scallop declaration.
Step 1. First, make one
selection from either A, B,
C or D.

Step 2. If you intend to fish
for RSA quota during part
or all of your trip, select
‘Yes’. If you selected 1.D.
(Northern Gulf of Maine
RSA trip), you must select
yes in Step 2. Otherwise,
select ‘No’.
Step 3. If you intend to fish
on a NMFS-authorized
EFP, select ‘Yes’.
Otherwise, select ‘No’.
Send your Limited Access
Scallop declaration.

30

Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘More’, then ‘Clam/Quahog’ to view the ‘Declaration for Surfclam and
Ocean Quahog’ trips:

Step 1. Select the type
of trip (only one).
Step 2. If you selected
‘Surfclam ITQ’ or
‘Ocean Quahog ITQ’ in
Step 1, and you intend
to fish one of these 2
areas, select the area.
Otherwise, leave this
question blank.
Step 3. Select an area,
but only if you will fish
in a scallop access
area and retain > 40 lb
of scallops. Otherwise,
leave this question
blank.
Step 4. If you will fish
under a NMFSauthorized EFP, select
‘Yes’. Otherwise, select
‘No’.

31

Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘More’, then ‘Herring’ to view the ‘Declaration for Herring’ trips:

Step 1. Herring carrier has no gear
capable of catching fish. Select
either ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Select only
one.
Step 2. Select the gear you intend
to fish. Select ‘none’ if you
answered ‘yes’ in Step 1. Select
only one.
Step 3. Select either ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Select only one.
Step 4. Select ‘Yes’ only if you
intend to harvest herring quota
under a NMFS-authorized RSA.
Otherwise, select ‘No’.
Step 5. If you will fish under a
NMFS-authorized EFP, select
‘Yes’. Otherwise, select ‘No’.

Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘More’, then ‘More’ again, then ‘Mackerel’ to view the ‘Declaration for
Mackerel’ trips:

Step 1. Select either ‘yes’ or ‘no’.
Skip to Step 3 if you do not intend
to retain herring.
Step 2. Select the gear you
intend to fish only if you
answered ‘Yes’ in Step 1. Select
only one gear type. Otherwise,
Step 3. Select either ‘Yes’ or ‘No’.

32

Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘More’, then ‘More’ again, then ‘Squid’ to view the ‘Declaration for
Squid’ trips:
Step 1. Select one or both of the
species you intend to target.
Step 2. Select either ‘Yes’ or
‘No’. Skip to Step 4 if you
answered ‘No’ and you do not
intend to retain herring.
Step 3. Select the gear you
intend to fish only if you
answered ‘Yes’ in Step 2. Select
only one gear type. Otherwise,
leave this question blank.
Step 4. Select either ‘Yes’ or
‘No’.

Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘More’, then ‘More’ again, then ‘DOF’ to view the declaration for
‘Declare Out of Fishery’ trips:

Declare Out of Fishery: Select only one of
the seven (7) choices as follows:
DOF-CML. When targeting species not
addressed in the other declaration macros.
You must also select a gear below.
DOF-EFP. When on an EFP and targeting
species not addressed in the other
declaration macros. You must also select a
gear below.
DOF-TST. When transiting without product
onboard.
DOF-TSP. When transiting with product
onboard.
DOF-REC. When on a recreational trip.
DOF-SCI. When conducting scientific
research (not intended for EFP trips). You
must also select NMFS LOA or Other
Research below.
DOF-NAF. When fishing on a NMFSauthorized permit in the Northwest Atlantic
Fishery Organization.

33

Select ‘Activity NE’, then ‘More’, then ‘More’ again, then ‘PWD’ to view ‘Power Down in Port’:
Power Down: This declaration
is only for use by LAGC scalloppermitted vessels when in port
as long as they do not have
other permits requiring
continuous VMS reporting.
Otherwise, a NMFS Letter of
Exemption (LOE) is required.

Forms. The following views will show you how to navigate to each of the forms screens. For all
forms, required fields will highlight in red if you try to send the form without completing those
fields. Once all required fields are filled, the ‘Send’ button will pop up at the top left of the form.
The following views will show you how to navigate to each of the forms screens. On your tablet,
press the SkyMate icon shown below:

You should see the screen shown below. Press ‘VMS’ at the bottom of the screen.

Then, press ‘Northeast’:

34

And, then press ‘Forms NE':

Selecting ‘Forms NE’ brings up selections for: Multispecies, Monkfish and Scallop:

Selecting ‘More’ brings up selections for: Herring, Squid. Mackerel and RSA/EFP:

Select ‘Forms NE’, then ‘Multispecies’ to bring up this screen:

35

There are three (3) Multispecies forms: Catch Report, Trip Start Hail, and Trip End Hail.
Multispecies Catch Report:
All catch reports must contain at
least the operator permit
number and VTR number.
Refer to Attachment 3 on Page
49 for guidance on when to
send this report.

Step 1. Enter your 8-digit
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8-digit
VTR, or 14-digit e-VTR number.
Step 3. Select the 2-digit month,
day and year of the reported
catch.
Step 4. First, enter the 3-digit
statistical (stat) area where the
species kept was harvested
(you may enter up to 4 different
stat areas on a single catch
report).
Next, below each stat area enter
the estimated weight of each
species kept (up to 6 digits).
Finally, be sure to enter the total
amount of NON-groundfish kept
for each stat area.

Step 5. Select the box only if
immediately switching to smaller
mesh. During the remainder of
your trip, you do not need to
reselect this box.

36

Multispecies Trip START Hail:
The trip start hail is
required by NMFS only if a
sector vessel intends to
fish on a NMFS exemption
or option approved for your
sector.
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit
operator permit number.
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8digit VTR, or 14-digit eVTR number.
Step 3. Select ‘yes’ if you
will be taking a NMFS
observer or at-sea monitor
onboard this trip.
Oh
i
l
‘ ’
Steps 4 & 5. Select all
appropriate exemptions
and/or provisions to be
fished under this trip.
Steps 6 & 7. Enter the
name of the city
(characters A-Z only) and
select the state (from the
drop-down menu) where
the catch will be landed.
Step 8. Select the month,
day, year, hour and minute
of your estimated return to
port.
Step 9. See the ‘Note’ to
determine if you must
enter the estimated offload
date/time. If so, select the
month, day, year, hour and
minute of your estimated
offload.
Step 10. Optional field.
NMFS may provide

37

Multispecies Trip END Hail:
The trip end hail is required
on all groundfish trips by
sector and common pool
vessels.
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit
operator permit number.
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8digit VTR, or 14-digit e-VTR
number.
Steps 3 & 4. Enter the name
of the city (characters A-Z
only) and select the state
(from the drop-down menu)
where the catch will be
landed.
Step 5. Enter the dealer or
offload location (up to 25
alphanumeric characters).
Steps 6 & 7. Select the
month, day, year, hour and
minute of your estimated
return to port and offload.
Steps 8 & 9. Complete only
if you will offload at another
port.
Steps 10 & 11. Enter the
total amount of groundfish
kept and non-groundfish
kept in pounds.
Step 12. Optional field.
NMFS may provide
instructions for use from
time-to-time.

38

Select ‘Forms NE’, then ‘Monkfish’ to bring up this screen. There is one Monkfish form: Monkfish
Trip Limit Overage DAS Adjustment.

Monkfish Trip Limit Overage Days at Sea Adjustment:

Step 1. Enter your 8-digit
operator permit number.
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8digit VTR, or 14-digit eVTR number.
Step 3. Select the month,
day and year of your
estimated return to port.

Select ‘Forms NE’, then ‘Scallop’ to bring up this screen:

39

There are two (2) Scallop forms: Scallop Daily Catch Report and Scallop Pre-Landing Notification.
Scallop Daily Catch Report:
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit operator permit
number.
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8-digit VTR, or 14-digit
e-VTR number.
Step 3. Select the month, day and year of the
reported catch.
Step 4. Enter only scallop meats kept in
pounds (up to 6 digits).
Step 5. Enter ‘ALL Other Fish Kept’ (excluding
scallops) in pounds (up to 6 digits).

Scallop Pre-Landing Notification.
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit operator permit
number.
Step 2. Select ‘yes’ only if you need to make a
correction to a report that you had previously
sent, and also select the month, day and year
of that report. Otherwise, select ‘no’ and leave
the prior report date field blank.
Step 3. Enter your 7 or 8-digit VTR, or 14-digit
e-VTR number.
Step 4. Select ’Yes’ if you intend to land any
scallops, and then complete steps 5-10.
Otherwise, select ‘No’, and then send the
form.
Step 5. Select ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to indicate whether
any scallops to be landed were harvested
from the Northern Gulf of Maine Management
Area.
Step 6. If only landing meats, enter the
estimated weight in that field only. If only
landing bushels in-shell, enter the estimated
number of bushels in that field only. If landing
both meats and bushels, enter the estimated
weight and bushel count in each field.
Step 7. Enter ‘All Other Fish Kept’ (excluding
scallops). Enter up to 6 digits.
Step 8. Select the month, day, year, hour and
minute of your estimated return to port.

Steps 9 & 10. Enter the name of the city (characters A-Z only)
and select the state where the catch will be landed.

40

Select ‘Forms NE’, then ‘More’ and then ‘Herring’ to bring up this screen. There are two (2) Herring
forms: Herring Daily Catch Report and Herring Pre-Landing
Herring Daily Catch Report:
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit operator permit
number.
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8-digit VTR, or 14digit e-VTR number.
Step 3. Select the month, day and year of
the reported catch.
Step 4. You must fill in both ‘kept’ and
‘discarded’ for at least one of the areas.
Enter up to 7 digits in each field, as
appropriate.
Step 5. Answer this question only if an
observer is onboard. Select ‘yes’ if you
had a slippage event for this reported
period and also select the reason. If you
select ‘Other’, briefly provide the reason.
Otherwise, select ‘no’ if no slippage event
occurred.
Step 6. If you are using mid-water or
bottom trawl gear then select ‘yes’.
Otherwise, select ‘no’ and then send the
message.
Step 7. Only if you selected ‘yes’ to the
previous question, enter the statistical
area(s) and associated amount of total
fish kept. Enter up to 7 digits.

Herring Pre-Landing Notification:
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit operator permit
number.
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8-digit VTR, or 14digit e-VTR number.
Step 3. Select the month, day, year, hour
and minute of your estimated return to
port.
Steps 4 & 5. Enter the name of the city
(characters A-Z only) and select the state
where the catch will be landed.

41

Select ‘Forms NE’, then ‘More’ and then ‘Mackerel’ to bring up this screen. There are two (2)
Mackerel forms: Mackerel and Squid Daily Catch, and Mackerel Pre-Landing Notification.
Mackerel and Squid Daily Catch Report:
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit operator
permit number.
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8-digit VTR,
or 14-digit e-VTR number.
Step 3. Select the month, day and
year of the reported catch.
Step 4. Enter the estimated weight
of mackerel and/or squid kept for
that day. You must complete at
least one of the 3 fields.
Step 5. Enter the estimated weight
of all product kept for that day.

Step 6. Answer this question only if
an observer is onboard. Select
‘yes’ if you had a slippage event for
this reported period and also select
the reason. If you select ‘Other’,
briefly provide the reason.
Otherwise, select ‘no’ if no slippage
event occurred.

Mackerel Pre-Landing Notification:

Step 1. Enter your 8-digit operator
permit number.
Step 2. Enter your 7 or 8-digit VTR,
or 14-digit e-VTR number.
Step 3. Select the month, day,
year, hour and minute of your
estimated return to port.
Steps 4 & 5. Enter the name of the
city (characters A-Z only) and
select the state where the catch will
be landed.

42

Select ‘Forms NE’, then ‘More’ and then ‘RSA/EFP’ to bring up this screen. There are two (2)
RSA/EFP forms: RSA and EFP Trip Start Hail, and RSA and EFP Trip End Hail.

RSA and EFP Trip START Hail:
The specific reporting
requirements will be stated in the
NMFS permit that authorizes your
compensation fishing or
experimental fishing activity.
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit operator
permit number.
Step 2. Enter the 4 or 5-digit
project code from your permit.
Step 3. Enter your 7 or 8-digit
VTR, or 14-digit e-VTR number.
Step 4. Enter the 3-digit (IVR) port
code where the catch will be
landed.
Step 5. Select the state where the
catch will be landed.
Step 6. Select the month, day,
year, hour & minute of your
estimated return to port.
Step 7. Optional field. NMFS may
provide instructions for use from
time-to-time.

43

RSA and EFP Trip END Hail:
The specific reporting
requirements will be stated in the
NMFS permit that authorizes
your compensation fishing or
experimental fishing activity.
Step 1. Enter your 8-digit
operator permit number.
Step 2. Enter the 4 or 5-digit
project code from your permit.
Step 3. Enter your 7 or 8-digit
VTR, or 14-digit e-VTR number.
Steps 4 & 5. Select the month,
day, year, hour and minute of
your estimated return to port and
offload.
Step 6. Enter the 3-digit (IVR)
port code where the catch will be
landed.
Step 7. Select the state where
the catch will be landed.
Step 8. Enter the 2-digit IVR
species code. To the right of
each code, enter the estimated
weight of the species kept and
discarded, and, if applicable, the
associated herring area (1A, 1B,
2 or 3).
Step 9. Select ‘yes’ if you intend
to land both your commercial and
RSA allocation. Otherwise, select
‘no’ for RSA allocation only.
Step 10. Optional field. NMFS
may provide instructions for use
from time-to-time.

44

ATTACHMENT 2
How to ‘Confirm the Use of a Previous VMS Code’
Note: The information provided in this attachment is also available on the VMS web page.
Under U.S. Fisheries Law, vessel owner/operators are required to declare their activity for every
trip prior to leaving port. In response to a New England Fishery Management Council request
to ease the financial strain, time and technical burdens associated with declaring an activity
through the VMS unit on each trip, NMFS has developed an alternative declaration method
through the IVR system.
Who can use this method?
Vessel owner/operators who intend to fish a trip under the same VMS activity code that was last
sent from the vessel's VMS unit and received by NMFS, have the option of notifying NMFS
that they are confirming their previous VMS declaration by calling the IVR system.
Have the following information ready before calling:
•
•
•
•

Your vessel’s 6-digit federal permit number
Your IVR PIN (same as your Fish On-Line PIN)(available from the GARFO Analysis &
Program Support Division at 1-888-487-9994)
Your 8-digit operator permit number
Your most recent VMS activity code (format xxx-xxx-xxxxxx)

Instructions:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•

Call the IVR system at 1-888-284-4904.
At ‘Main Menu’, press 1 to “Report the start or end of a trip, declare a block, or confirm the use
of a previous VMS code.”
At ‘Fishing Activity Reporting’, enter your vessel’s 6-digit permit number and your IVR PIN.
When prompted, record your name and operator permit number, then press the # key.
When prompted, press 1 to confirm your name and operator number, or press 2 to re-record the
information.
When prompted, press 4 to “Confirm the use of a previous VMS code.”
The IVR will respond with either:

(1) “Your most recent VMS activity code is ( ).” When prompted, press 1 to confirm the use
of this code. The system will then provide you with a confirmation number which you should record
and keep with you on your trip. However, if this is not the code you will use, when prompted,
hang up and declare your trip through your VMS unit; or
(2) “Your most recent VMS activity code cannot be confirmed.” When prompted, hang up
and declare your trip through your VMS unit.

45

ATTACHMENT 2 (Cont’d)
How to ‘Confirm the Use of a Previous VMS Code’
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
• All other VMS reporting requirements for your trip still apply.
• This alternative method of declaring a trip prior to leaving port is not to be used in lieu of an inoperative
VMS unit. Your VMS unit must be fully functional.
• The IVR back-up message line should not be used if you are unable to use the main IVR
system.
• The code reported to you by the IVR system is the most recent code sent from your vessel’s
VMS unit and received by NMFS. Therefore, your most recent code sent may be from your
last trip or when in port after your last trip.
• If the IVR system is unable to confirm your VMS activity code, it is likely for one of the
following reasons:
(1) No code for your vessel could be retrieved;
(2) Your last code was the power down code (PWD-PWD-XXXXXX);
(3) Your last code was a Southeast Region code (for dual-reporting vessels); or
(4) Your last code was a code that could only be declared when inside the NE Fishery.
• You will still receive an automated trip start and trip end message from NMFS through your
VMS unit. Your trip will be recorded in NMFS’ monitoring system with the code that you
confirmed through the IVR system.

46

ATTACHMENT 3

47