NOAA Seeks Fishery Logbook Renewal Feedback: Yawn Edition
Published Date: 3/19/2025
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking for public feedback on renewing their fishery logbook forms used by East Coast fishermen to track their catches. This helps protect fish populations while keeping fishing fair and sustainable. Comments are open until May 19, 2025, and there’s no new cost—just a chance to share your thoughts and keep the data flowing smoothly.
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Logbook Data Used for Management and Enforcement
NOAA and partner agencies (including NMFS offices, the U.S. Coast Guard, Councils, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, and state fishery agencies) will use logbook data for biological analyses and stock assessments, regulatory impact analyses, quota allocation and monitoring, economic profiles, trade and tariff decisions, grant allocation among states, enforcement, and to mitigate interactions between fixed gear and endangered whales. The agency describes these uses as necessary to prevent overfishing and achieve optimum yield.
Mandatory Electronic Vessel Logbooks
If your vessel is permitted under any of the listed Greater Atlantic fishery management plans (for example Atlantic mackerel, squid, butterfish; Atlantic sea scallop; NE multispecies; monkfish; lobster; and others), you must submit a vessel logbook (Vessel Trip Report) electronically over the internet. If a vessel is permitted in more than one of these fisheries, a single report may satisfy reporting requirements for all applicable species. The collection is mandatory under the Magnuson‑Stevens Act and the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act.
Estimated Reporting Burden and No Monetary Cost
NOAA estimates 2,927 respondents will file these electronic logbooks, with Vessel Trip Reports taking about 4 minutes each (lobster VTRs 5 minutes) and total annual burden of 17,154 hours. NOAA reports the estimated total annual monetary cost to the public is $0.
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-07536, Taking and Importing Marine Mammals; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Geophysical Surveys in the Gulf of America
Starting April 20, 2026, NOAA is setting new rules for companies doing geophysical surveys in the Gulf of America to protect marine mammals. These rules let companies get permission to accidentally disturb marine mammals but require them to minimize harm and report what they find. This plan lasts five years and helps balance ocean research with saving sea life.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2025-06746, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service want to remove the current definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act because it includes habitat changes that don’t match the law’s true meaning. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered species and could shift how rules are enforced. You have until May 19, 2025, to share your thoughts, and this update aims to clarify the law without adding new costs.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-04447, Combined Notice of Filings #1
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new filings from wind and solar energy companies showing they’re officially recognized as exempt wholesale generators. Some companies also updated their electric rates and made small changes to their status or tariffs, with deadlines for public comments mostly by early April. These updates help keep energy projects running smoothly and could affect how energy prices and services work soon.
Next: 2025-04449, Combined Notice of Filings
The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission got new rate filings from Iroquois Gas Transmission System for natural gas pipeline deals with Macquarie Energy and Tenaska Marketing. These changes could affect gas prices starting April 1, 2025. If you want to speak up or get involved, you have until March 24, 2025, to file your comments or protests.