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Natural Resources Compliance 12 items

Fishing Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Compliance Checklist

Verify that a federally permitted fishing vessel meets Vessel Monitoring System requirements, covering approved units, position reporting, declarations, and tamper prevention.

NOAA 50 CFR 648Magnuson-Stevens ActNOAA OLE VMS Requirements50 CFR 300

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Unit Installation & Approval

  • Is a NOAA type-approved VMS unit installed on the vessel for the applicable fishery? *
  • Was installation certified and an activation/installation report submitted to NOAA OLE? *
  • Is the unit connected to a functioning communications service provider account? *

Position Reporting

  • Is the VMS unit transmitting automatic position reports at the frequency required for the fishery? *
  • Is the unit powered continuously while the vessel is at sea, including in port where required? *
  • Are power-down exemptions, if used, requested and approved in advance per procedure?

Declarations & Reporting

  • Are trip/activity declarations submitted via VMS before departure as required by the fishery? *
  • Are catch or other required electronic reports transmitted through the VMS or associated e-reporting system?
  • Are closed areas and restricted zones observed and consistent with reported vessel tracks? *

Integrity & Maintenance

  • Is the VMS unit and antenna free from tampering, disabling, or obstruction? *
  • Is a VMS malfunction reported to NOAA OLE and are manual position reports provided until repair? *
  • Date of the most recent verification that the VMS is transmitting correctly. *

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