eVTR

Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County has been funded by National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to provide education and outreach to New York for-hire fishermen across Long Island. With mandatory electronic reporting in for-hire fisheries being implemented in 2025, The eVTR project will include education and outreach activities that will help New York modernize fisheries dependent data collection, while simultaneously reducing the reporting burden set upon fishermen by simplifying the mandatory reporting process.

CCE will provide 188 free iPads, to encourage and retain fishermen participation in improved reporting and monitoring using the Atlantic Costal Cooperative Statistics Program’s (ACCSP) electronic reporting App eTRIPS/mobile. CCE, in coordination with NYSDEC, will actively promote and organize a series of 15 state-wide electronic reporting training sessions with a target of 340 NY state for-hire and commercial fishermen to sufficiently educate, inform and encourage adoption of electronic reporting technology in New York. Modernizing data management systems will help to reduce costs and improve consistency, interoperability, quality, and/or usability of information collected.

CCE will continue to provide technical support to the fishing industry as any electronic reporting changes and updates are implemented. CCE will coordinate with vessel owners/captains to ensure data quality and educate on proper procedures to correct submission errors. CCE will communicate with ACCSP for the latest updates to software and identify any issues that occur. CCE will provide continued technical support to all fishermen on an as needed basis for the project duration. CCE will offer personal support over the phone or by conducting Zoom video meetings to fully educate new users. CCE will schedule “office hours” once per week for 2 hours per session. This is a scheduled time for fishermen to ask any relevant questions regarding electronic reporting procedures to ensure confidence and accuracy in their reports. Office hours will be held in person as well as by phone and Zoom online conferencing.

For more information of the eVTR program, or to sign up for a training by CCE staff, please contact Tara McClintock.

Last updated July 18, 2024