Omnibus Framework Adjustment Requiring Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting for Federally-Permitted Party and Charter Vessel Operators in the Mid-Atlantic Region

This action approves and implements regulations submitted by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in an Omnibus Framework Adjustment to all of its fishery management plans. The Electronic Vessel Trip Report Framework implements a requirement for charter and party vessels that hold a permit to fish for Atlantic bluefish, black sea bass, scup, summer flounder, tilefish, squid, Atlantic mackerel, and/or butterfish, while on a trip carrying passengers for hire, to submit required vessel trip reports by electronic means. This action is intended to increase the timeliness, accuracy, and quality of fisheries data submitted to NMFS while also reducing the burden on the charter and party fishing fleets.