Just saw your question - sorry so long to respond...
The goals were to:
1) increase the timeliness (availability) of data submitted through VTRs;
2) reduce the reporting burden on data providers (for-hire operators and/or captains) by eliminating the need of paper-based reporting, and;
3) increase the accuracy and quality of data by reducing recall bias associated with delayed completion and submission of paper forms.
VTR info is already used in a variety of ways - we just updated a document that describes some of the ways the Council and MRIP currently use it: (
http://www.mafmc.org/s/VTR-For-Hire-Fact-Sheet.pdf). As noted in that, the
effort data from VTRs is actually currently used for official MRIP estimates, and MRIP is also investigating additional ways to directly use the
catch info from VTRs/logbooks.
A recording of the webinar and other resources have been posted to
http://www.mafmc.org/for-hire-evtr/
Hope that helps,
Jason
