NOAA changing fishing record rules for Gulf of Mexico headboats

NOAA Fisheries is changing how and when headboats operating in the Gulf of Mexico have to submit their fishing records.

                              

The rule requires federally permitted headboats to submit fishing records to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center on a weekly basis, or at intervals shorter than a week if needed.

The current requirement is to submit fishing records on a monthly basis.

The rule also changes the current method of submitting reports.

Previously they were submitted by mail, now they will be submitted electronically.

Federally permitted headboat owners and operators who are delinquent in submitting reports are not allowed to fish until all required reports have been submitted.

The new rule is designed to ensure effort, landings, and discard information of federally managed fish are recorded accurately and in a timely manner.

The final rule was published on February the 3^rd and will take effect on March the 5^th.

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