e-Logbooks

A guide to e-Logbooks for fishers

When electronic reporting is introduced in your fishery you will need to make an application to the Australian Fisheries Management Authority (AFMA) before you can begin to use an electronic logbook and lodge electronic logbook reports.

How to register for electronic catch and effort reporting

1. Before commencing to use an electronic catch and effort logbook and lodging electronic logbook reports, you must register with AFMA. To do this you will need to complete an Electronic Catch and Effort Logbook Reporting Application Form (ELREG-01) for:

• each vessel that will be using electronic logbooks and lodging electronic logbook reports; and
• each fishery for which you will be reporting.

2. An ELREG-01 form can be obtained by contacting the Electronic Logbook Coordinator on AFMA Direct 1300 723 621, email elogs@afma.gov.au, fax (02) 6225 5440 or by downloading from the logbooks forms page of our website.
3. The completed form should be posted or faxed (and the original posted within 7 days) to:
   
   Electronic Logbook Co-ordinator
   Australian Fisheries Management Authority
   PO Box 7051
   CANBERRA BUSINESS CENTRE ACT 2610
4. The form allows you to name the person authorised to complete an electronic logbook and sign and submit electronic logbook reports on your behalf. You must have already completed an Authorised Representative Nomination Form (fishing concession holders) for the above-named person for the equivalent paper logbook. If you have not done so, you must complete and submit the nomination form to AFMA with the ELREG-01. The nomination form can be obtained from the above sources.
5. After processing your registration, the Co-ordinator will email to you the following:

• Confirmation of your registration
• For each vessel using electronic logbooks, two unique identifiers. These are:
  
  - An electronic logbook ID number (ELID); and
  - A vessel ID number (VID).
  
  These numbers must be entered in the electronic logbook and will accompany every report transmitted to AFMA. Your electronic logbook must be able to store these numbers and send them automatically with every report transmitted to AFMA.
• A copy of the instructions for electronic logbook reporting titled Instructions for Holders of Fishing Concessions and Licences for the fishery in which you will be reporting.
• the e-mail address that you send electronic logbook reports

6. To be able to lodge electronic logbook reports you or the authorised person must first obtain a digital certificate from a supplier acceptable to AFMA. It is your responsibility to ensure that each authorised person sending electronic logbook reports to AFMA has a valid digital certificate. See your software provider about how to install a digital certificate in your software.
7. When you have obtained a digital certificate you or the authorised person must e-mail the Co-ordinator at elogs@afma.gov.au from the reporting email address nominated in the ELREG-01 from which all your electronic logbook reports will be sent. This e-mail should:

• Include as text the:
  
  - concession holder's name;
  - vessel name;
  - ELID and VID supplied by AFMA; and
  - name of the person authorised to complete, sign and transmit the electronic logbook reports, if this is not you.
• Attach the digital certificate to be used for lodgement of your electronic logbook reports.

8. When these details have been confirmed, the Co-ordinator will reply to your reporting e-mail address and attach AFMA's digital certificate which you must use to encrypt your reports before they are sent.
9. Your electronic logbook software should now be capable of sending electronic logbook reports to the e-mail address established at AFMA for your fishery.
10. You should send a test report to that e-mail address using AFMA's test e-mail format. See your software vendor's instructions on how to do this. The successful receipt of a test report by AFMA will generate a return e-mail as confirmation.
11. You should now be ready to commence sending electronic logbook reports to AFMA in accordance with the requirements of the Instructions for Holders of Fishing Concessions and Licences.
12. Should problems arise with the electronic logbook reports that you send to AFMA, for example incomplete or corrupted reports, AFMA may direct you to cease sending electronic logbook reports and return to completing and sending paper logbook reports.

Page last updated 13 December, 2006