NOAA Unleashes Spy Tech for East Coast Longline Fishermen
Published Date: 3/13/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is opening two new fishing zones off the U.S. East Coast where pelagic longline fishermen can fish if they use special electronic monitoring (EM). Vendors who want to provide these EM services must apply now to get certified and help fishermen follow the rules. This means new business chances for vendors and better tracking for fishers, starting as soon as the zones open.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 1 mixed.
New Fishing Zones Open With Conditions
Two monitoring areas (Charleston Bump and East Florida Coast) will allow commercial pelagic longline fishing starting April 3, 2026, but only under strict effort controls, increased reporting requirements, and enhanced electronic monitoring (EM). This change lets vessel owners fish in areas previously closed, but they must follow new rules to do so.
Must Use Certified EM Review Before Fishing
If you own a pelagic longline vessel and want to fish in the monitoring areas, you must arrange EM video review from an NMFS-certified vendor before fishing in those areas. That requirement is separate from other EM programs and applies to trips fished wholly or partially in the monitoring areas.
New Market for EM Service Vendors
Entities can apply to be NMFS-certified electronic monitoring (EM) vendors to provide services to pelagic longline vessels; applications are accepted upon publication of this notice and may be submitted at any time. NMFS will approve or deny a complete application within 90 business days of receipt and add approved vendors to a certified vendor list.
Certified Vendor Reporting and Data Duties
Certified EM vendors must store video and metadata for a minimum of 2 years, ensure staff are trained in species identification, review EM video from 50% of sets for trips in monitoring areas (with at least one set reviewed per vessel), and submit quarterly reports to NMFS with specified contents. Vendors must also certify absence of conflicts of interest in their application.
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