Increasing Timeliness of Commercial Self Reported Fisheries Landings Data

Lack of timeliness in paper reported dealer landings data often leads to quota overages. A solution to it is to report electronically. The Northeast Region has used electronic dealer reporting systems, which reduces the time lag for dealer reports since 2004. Focusing electronic reporting on dealers is logistically simpler and more cost effective than on vessels because dealers are located at fixed locations and have ready access to internet for transmission of landings reports. However, there are technical issues with multiple state electronic reporting programs. We need to start thinking about standardized control rules to standardize data elements and allow for changing state programs to deal with federal requirements. Another issue on increasing timeliness of commercial self reporting is the policy differences on reporting deadlines, variables, and type of reports accepted. These differences can lead to problems during implementation. We need to allow time to get policy and technical issues sorted out, and then it may take at least a year for smooth transition.