As of September 1, 2003, each commercial vessel permitted to fish for Atlantic HMS that fishes with a pelagic longline is required to install a NMFS-approved VMS unit on board the vessel and operate the VMS unit whenever the vessel leaves port with pelagic longline gear on board.

As of October 14, 2003, each vessel with a limited access endorsement for South Atlantic rock shrimp must have a NMFS-approved, operating VMS on board when on a trip in the South Atlantic.

Installation Checklists: