Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS); Certification of New VMS Unit for Use in Northeast Fisheries

---
identifier: "/us/fr/03-31613"
source: "fr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS); Certification of New VMS Unit for Use in Northeast Fisheries"
title_number: 0
title_name: "Federal Register"
section_number: "03-31613"
section_name: "Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS); Certification of New VMS Unit for Use in Northeast Fisheries"
positive_law: false
currency: "2003-12-23"
last_updated: "2003-12-23"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
agency: "Commerce Department"
document_number: "03-31613"
document_type: "notice"
publication_date: "2003-12-23"
agencies:
  - "Commerce Department"
  - "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration"
fr_citation: "68 FR 74217"
fr_volume: 68
docket_ids:
  - "I.D. 121203C"
effective_date: "2003-12-23"
fr_action: "Notice of VMS unit certification."
---


#  Vessel Monitoring Systems (VMS); Certification of  New VMS Unit for Use in Northeast Fisheries

**AGENCY:**

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

**ACTION:**

Notice of VMS unit certification.

**SUMMARY:**

NMFS announces the approval and certification of the Boatracs FMCT/G (Fisheries Mobile Communications Transceiver/Global Positioning System (GPS) based) VMS unit for use in all fisheries in the northeastern United States in which VMS units are required.

**DATES:**

This new FMCT/G VMS unit can be used effective December 23, 2003.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:**

Northeast Office for Law Enforcement, VMS Program, telephone 978-281-9213.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:**

Regulations at 50 CFR 648.9 set forth VMS requirements for fisheries in the northeastern United States that require the use of VMS for fishery monitoring and/or reporting. Specifically, § 648.9(b) lists minimum VMS performance criteria that a VMS unit must meet in order to be certified for use.

The Administrator, Northeast Region, NMFS, has reviewed all components of the FMCT/G and other information provided by the vendor and has certified the following unit for use in all Northeast fisheries in which VMS units are required: Boatracs FMCT/G, available from Boatracs, 1935 Cordell Court, El Cajon, CA 92020-0911, Telephone: (619) 438-6000,1-800-336-8722.

**Authority:**

16 U.S.C. 1801 *et seq.*

Dated:   December 16, 2003.

Bruce C. Morehead,

Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.