Electronic Tracking of Federal Lobster Vessels

Beginning May 1st, 2023, all Massachusetts federal lobster trap permit holders for areas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and OC must have installed an approved tracking device prior to trap fishing. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) approves vessel tracking devices for use in the federal lobster fishery. Devices send data through satellite or cellular signal.

Updates: MA DMF mailed information on the electronic tracking program, required affidavit, and subsidy application on March 17, 2023, to identified permit holders. If you did not receive this mailing and are required to install an electronic tracking device on your vessel, please reach out to [e-mail] to request this information. For more information on the subsidy application, please visit Assistance for Electronic Tracking Devices - Federal Lobster Vessels.

Permit Holders Requirements

• Devices must remain attached to your federally permitted vessel, powered, and transmitting data while the vessel is in the water. Trackers are required regardless of landing state, trip type, location fished, or target species. 

• If a device malfunctions or the vessel is out of the water, permit holders must alert DMF (see device failure protocol below). 

• Tracking devices collect vessel positions once per minute. The device may collect positions once per day if vessel is in its berth. 

• Devices must be installed to device vendor specifications. Tampering with tracking devices is not permitted.   

• Vessels with federal Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS)  are not exempt from tracking device requirements.  If you have a VMS requirement you still must install and power an approved tracking device.

• Complete tracker requirements are in Section 3.1 of the document found here:  Addendum XXIX 

 

ASMFC & MA Approved Vessel Tracking Devices and Contact Information:

Device Vendor	Approved Device	Website	Power Supply	Installation Location	Support Phone	Support Email Address
Woods Hole Group	NEMO	https://whgnemo.myportfolio.com	USB power	Interior near window	[phone]	[e-mail]
Viatrax	Boat Command	https://boatcommand.com	12-24 V DC	Interior near window	[phone]	[e-mail]
Archipelago	FishVue Lime	https://www.archipelago.ca/fishvuelime-asfmc	12-24 V DC	Interior with sky view	[phone]	[e-mail]
Succorfish	SC2	https://succorfish.com/contact/	Consult vendor	Sky view	[phone]	[e-mail]

Administration of Vessel Trackers

• DMF administers the tracking program to federal fishery permit holders with principal ports in Massachusetts. Massachusetts will notify you by US mail if your vessel requires a tracking device.  

• DMF validates tracking data for trips with electronic tracking requirements landing in Massachusetts. DMF may contact you with questions regarding your vessel tracker and/or trip reports. GARFO may contact you to resolve federal VTR issues. 

• An installation affidavit will be mailed to the address on your federal fishery permit. Mail the completed affidavit to 30 Emerson Ave, Gloucester, MA 01930 or email to [e-mail]. DMF will then verify your device transmits correctly and provide a receipt.  

• DMF confirms compliance with vessel tracking requirements. DMF may contact you if data has not been received from your device. You must inform DMF if your tracker breaks or if the tracker is powered down for any reason.

Device Failure Protocol

• If your tracking device breaks, please contact MADMF at 978-491-6265 or email [e-mail]. Contact your device vendor or their representative to repair or replace trackers in the event of device failure.  

• DMF staff may also alert you of problems with your tracking device. If so, contact your device vendor or their representative to repair or replace trackers. 

• Permit holders must repair or replace devices within 14 days of device failure. Within these 14 days, permit holders may continue to fish. MADMF may provide a letter of authorization to fish without a device after the 14-day period in limited circumstances. 

More Information

If you need further information, please call our office during business hours at [phone] or email us anytime at [e-mail]. 

Additional Resources

ASMFC FAQs on Electronic Vessel Tracking for American Lobster and Jonah Crab

GARFO Vessel Trip Reporting

DMF Vessel Tracking Regulation: 322 CMR 7.11

Vessel Tracking Application and Affidavit

Vessel Tracking Affidavit

Woods Hole Group Nemo (CLS) Device Identifier

Viatrax Boat Command Device Identifier

Date published:	March 8, 2023