Federally permitted seafood dealers to see changes in reporting requirements

The deadline is approaching for changes for federally permitted seafood dealer reporting requirements.

Beginning August the 7th there will be changes to the reporting system for federally permitted seafood dealers in the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Regions.

The most notable changes involve how and when reports must be submitted.

The rule establishes a new, single dealer permit called the Gulf and South Atlantic dealer permit that is required to purchase products managed by the federal government.

For the Gulf of Mexico that includes Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resources, Red Drum, Reef Fish and Spiny Lobster.

Under the rule change, purchase forms must be submitted online, once per week by 11:59 every Tuesday.

Dealers reporting purchases of king mackerel landed by the gillnet sector for the Gulf West Coast Florida Southern Sub-Zone will be required to submit forms daily by 6:00 a.m.

If no purchase is made, a no-purchase form must also be submitted online, once per week.

Delinquent reports will automatically result in Gulf and South Atlantic dealers becoming ineligible to receive the federally managed species.

The changes are designed to improve the completeness and timeliness of purchase information which can impact when fishing seasons are closed and if other steps have to be taken to protect federally managed species.

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