(a) Except for Atlantic herring carrier vessels, the owner or operator of any vessel issued an Atlantic herring permit that caught or landed > 500 mt of Atlantic herring in the previous fishing year, or intends to catch or land, or catches or lands > 500 mt of Atlantic herring in the current fishing year, must have an operable VMS unit installed on board that meets the requirements of § 648.9. The VMS unit must be certified, installed on board, and operable before the vessel may begin fishing.

(b) A vessel owner or operator, except an owner or operator of an Atlantic herring carrier vessel, who intends to catch and land > 500 mt of Atlantic herring must declare such intention to the Regional Administrator prior to obtaining an Atlantic herring fishing permit for the fishing year.

(c) Except for Atlantic herring carrier vessels, the owner or operator of a vessel is prohibited from landing > 500 mt of Atlantic herring caught in or from the EEZ during a fishing year, unless in compliance with § 648.205(b).