The Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE) Marine Program has launched an initiative designed to modernize data collection systems used by more than 240 for-hire marine fishing permit holders across Long Island.

This program, known as the eVTR (Electronic Vessel Trip Reporting) project, will reduce data collection burdens on fishermen by simplifying the mandatory reporting process. Moreover, the program will enhance the quality, timeliness and accessibility of fisheries data for use by fleet managers and policymakers.

For-hire fishermen operate vessels that are hired by individuals or groups for recreational fishing trips. This includes party boats and charter boats. They primarily catch fluke, scup, black sea bass, striped bass, blackfish, and bluefish in New York State waters within three miles of shore.

The modernization project is funded through a $300,000 grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. The foundation was chartered by Congress in 1984 to increase resources available for the conservation of the country’s fish, wildlife, plants, and habitats.

“Recreational fishing has long played an important role in the history, culture, and economy of Long Island,” said Vanessa Lockel, Executive Director of CCE Suffolk. “But to remain competitive, our fishermen need to adopt modern technologies. By helping to update their data collection systems, CCE Suffolk will play a hand in building a more secure and efficient future for our fishing sector.”

Marine recreational fishing trips supported 5,739 full- or part-time jobs and contributed $473 million in sales, $209 million in income, and $363 million in gross domestic income to the New York State economy in 2017, the last year for which figures are available.

The state’s for-hire sector faces many challenges, including strict regulations in respect to fish size, bag limits, and seasonal restrictions. The fleets’ profit margins are also being squeezed by increased costs associated with fuel, maintenance and repair, and fishing gear. In addition, patronage has been declining due to necessary fare increases.  

State-licensed party and charter permit holders – as well as commercial harvesters — are required to submit monthly vessel trip reports of all fishing activities to the state Department of Environmental Conservation as well as federal agencies. Data include information on catch, trip length, dealers, and other items. While this data have traditionally been recorded and submitted on paper, the state is presently transitioning to electronic reporting. The eVTR project will equip fishermen to successfully make this significant change.

The CCE Marine staff will primarily provide technology, training and technical support for an electronic reporting system called the Atlantic Coastal Cooperative Statistics Program’s eTrips program. Through a series of outreach and training events, CCE staff will guide fishermen on the use, adoption and registration of the system. Participants will also receive ongoing technical support as needed. To further ease the burden of electronic reporting, CCE will distribute 150 iPads to participating fishermen.   

The CCE team will also be assisting New York State food fish license holders who wish to voluntarily report electronically. 

About Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County

Established in 1917, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Suffolk County (CCE Suffolk) is a non-profit community education agency that works to preserve the county’s agricultural resources, marine life, protect our eco-systems, support families, provide community service opportunities for youth, and advance research-based education in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Affiliated with Cornell University as part of the national land grant university system, CCE Suffolk’s staff consists of educators, researchers, specialists, and support personnel who are dedicated to making Suffolk County a desirable place to live and work.

CCE Suffolk is a subordinate governmental agency with an educational mission that operates under an organizational model approved by Cornell University as agent for the State of New York.

More information is available at http://ccesuffolk.org/.

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