eLogbook FAQ
2025 Statewide Logbook
- Why the mandatory switch to eLogbook statewide in 2025?
- How does the eLogbook benefit users?
- How will the data from the eLogbook program be used for responsive management?
- Who can use the eLogbook and how are they obtained?
- Where can I find more information?
- What is an eLogbook?
- The Review Application: Designed to be used by business owners, this link will allow you to configure your Entry Application, review your submitted trips, edit data for 48 hours, and generate trip summaries back to 2017 for paper or electronically submitted trips. Requires PIN and internet connectivity.
- The Entry Application: Designed to be used by guides, this link will allow you to record and upload charter trip data to ADF&G. No PIN required and only requires internet to upload data.
- Web-based applications: Web-based apps are not downloaded like other local apps you may be familiar with on your mobile device. Instead, web-based applications are opened by clicking on a link. These links are sent directly to the business owner via email and can be opened on most devices that support an updated web browser. Web-based applications were chosen due to their ability to store data within the browser while operating offline and because they can be easily distributed.
- Will I lose my data if I close my browser? No, the web-based application approach will store the trip data on the browser. Do not use private browsing, incognito mode, or clear your browser history. Engaging in these can delete stored trip data. ADF&G strongly encourages bookmarking the Entry Application link to allow for ease of access.
- Will I need a new eLogbook annually? Your eLogbook links remain consistent between years. However, your eLogbook will deactivate on December 31 of the operating year. To reactivate your eLogbook, you must register your business for the year. Once activated for the season, each eLogbook will remain active for the remainder of the calendar year.
- What type of device do I need to use the eLogbook?
- Will ADF&G provide the electronic devices?
- Does the eLogbook application need to be connected to the internet to work?
- What can I do if my eLogbook application stops working?
- Do I need an eLogbook for each vessel?
- If I add/change vessels while using the eLogBook, do I need to notify the department?
- Are paper logbooks gone and how do I register my vessels?
- Do I still need a paper logbook if I'm going to use the eLogbook?
- Do any reporting requirements change when I use the eLogbook?
- Is the reporting schedule the same as with paper logbooks?
- Can I use a paper logbook and transfer my data after the trip?
- Will I have access to all my data?
- Is eLogbook data confidential?
- Will enforcement officers receive training for the eLogBook?
- What do I need to show enforcement when I am boarded?
- If I lose my data due to a technical difficulty, will I be cited?
- How do people certify their halibut?
- What if I use a paper page and copy it over to the eLogbook, how do we certify halibut?
Widespread use of electronic logbooks will support timely data availability for responsive fisheries management of all saltwater fisheries throughout the state. The implementation of mandatory eLogbook reporting in Southeast Alaska has been successful for responsive king salmon management and has improved data availability timelines for several important fisheries.
The eLogbook Entry Application simplifies data entry by storing recently entered information for re-use on subsequent trips. Additionally, guides can expedite data entry through a variety of time-saving features (scanning angler licenses using QR-codes, cloning recent trips, configuring species, etc.). Historic trip data (back to 2017) can also be reviewed and accessed at any time using the eLogbook Review Application.
Use of eLogbook will provide a more timely and complete picture of current-season effort and harvest by guided anglers, providing additional information to fishery managers to evaluate and manage fisheries. This will improve our ability to manage fisheries for the purposes of staying within established allocations or Guideline Harvest Limits, or to meet escapement goals.
The eLogbook is currently available to any registered saltwater charter sport fishing business. The owner of the business needs to submit an email request to the Division of Sport Fish Guide Registration and Logbook Programs Coordinator Ben Jevons at ben.jevons@alaska.gov or Research Analyst Kayla Buster at kayla.buster@alaska.gov.
You can read more information and view instructional videos on our website. We also send out reminders for our annual spring eLogbook webinar series, which provide extensive training opportunities for new users. We will also attend charter meetings to provide in-person training opportunities in 2024 and 2025. And lastly, you can always reach out to eLogbook technical support staff Ben Jevons (ben.jevons@alaska.gov 907-267-2299) and Kayla Buster (kayla.buster@alaska.gov 907-267-2337) with questions.
eLogbook Overview
The eLogbook is composed of two business-specific web-based applications (URLs) that work together to allow a business owner or guide to record, upload, and review charter logbook activity. These are called the Review and Entry applications:
See below for further details on devices, browsers, and internet needs.
General Questions
The eLogbook is a web-based application that is designed to work on any electronic device that supports a current web browser. This includes smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktop computers. Many saltwater charter businesses and guides have found that a tablet works best.
No. It is the responsibility of the charter business or guide to have their electronic device. ADF&G provides the application links, training, and ongoing technical support.
Internet is not needed to enter trip data into the Entry Application while operating. Internet is only needed to upload the data to ADF&G in accordance with the weekly submittal schedule and is needed the very first time you open the Entry Application upon receiving the link from ADF&G. After opening, the device does not need to be connected to the internet while data are entered into the application. When it is time to submit your trips, the device must be briefly connected to the internet to upload to ADF&G.
ADF&G strongly encourages bookmarking the Entry Application link for ease of access.
One paper logbook will still be issued per vessel to be used as backup. ADF&G recommends you have a backup paper logbook available on each vessel in case of a technical difficulty with your device or the eLogbook application. In the event of a technical difficulty, record your trip information on a paper logbook sheet and contact ADF&G at (907) 267-2299 or (907) 267-2337 on the next ADF&G business day.
No, unlike paper logbooks that are linked to a vessel, eLogbooks are business-specific and can be shared across vessels. In the eLogbook, you will have an option to select any vessel currently registered to your business. You may also manually add vessels that were recently registered but are being processed.
All vessels used for guided sport fishing activities need to be registered with ADF&G before they are used for any operations. If you need to add a vessel during the season, register the vessel at the nearest ADF&G office or through the vessel registration option in your Review Application.
Paper Logbook vs. eLogbook
ADF&G continues to require the annual registration of charter sport fishing vessels. For operators in saltwater, the registration tool continues to be the paper logbook. This logbook contains your proof of registration and serves as a backup in the event of equipment failure. The eLogbook Review Application also has an online vessel registration tool.
ADF&G recommends that you carry the paper logbook issued when registering your vessels (one per vessel) to be used in the event of technical difficulties. If you use your paper logbook, do not send these pages to ADF&G; instead, copy the information into your eLogbook once the technical difficulties have been resolved. Please note, you will only be issued one paper logbook per vessel each season.
No. Statewide reporting requirements are the same for both the eLogbook and the paper logbook. You will find instructions on the reporting requirements in your saltwater logbook or in the help menu of the eLogbook Entry Application.
Yes, the statewide reporting schedule will remain the same as is required with paper logbooks. The reporting deadline dates will change as they do every year, but the statewide reporting schedule remains the same. The submittal schedule can also be found in the help menu of the eLogbook.
Yes, if you need some time to get accustomed to the eLogbook, or have technical difficulty, you are allowed to use your backup paper logbook and then transcribe the information to an eLogbook. However, please remember that your backup paper logbook only contains 50 pages and only one paper logbook is provided per vessel.
See Enforcement Related Questions section below for information on transferring halibut certifications from paper to the eLogbook
Yes. One of the benefits of using the eLogbook is that all business data going back to 2017 (whether submitted on paper or electronically) can be reviewed and summarized through the Review Application. We continue to work with operators to improve historic data summaries and make them useful for businesses.
Yes. Electronically submitted Logbook data are stored on secure ADF&G servers.
Enforcement Related Questions
Yes. ADF&G will offer training opportunities to Alaska Wildlife Troopers, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement staff, and USCG.
Enforcement will continue to need access to the eLogbook data for the current trip. You may also be asked to provide data of the previous 3 days of charter activity, which can be viewed in the trip list if unsubmitted or in the trip history section of the eLogbook Entry Application if submitted. You will have up to 14 days of recent trip activity stored in the trip history section for submitted trips. Different enforcement agencies may be interested in different pieces of information. ADF&G strongly encourages reaching out to your local enforcement agencies and discussing the transition and what they will be looking for prior to operating.
Trip data stored in the eLogbook Entry App trip history will be cleared if you are using incognito mode, private browsing, or clear your browsing history. Do not use these features on the browser you are using to record your trip data.
It is possible that you will be cited. ADF&G recommends that you always have paper logbook sheets as a backup trip reporting option on each of your vessels.
Federal regulation requires any angler on a charter trip in IPHC Areas 2C and 3A who harvest halibut to sign (certify) their halibut harvest. On paper, this is accomplished with a signature. In the eLogbook, the guide will be prompted to certify the angler with a green button. Upon hitting the button, a screen pops up with the angler's name and harvest. The guide then hands the device to the angler, who verifies the catch, their name and license number, and then types in their initials. For further details visit our website and tutorial videos.
If you use a paper logbook and copy it over to the eLogbook while getting accustomed to the eLogbook, or you had technical difficulties and needed to use your paper logbook to complete your trip, please do not use the angler's initials when certifying halibut. Instead, use your initials and retain the paper copy for 2 years per federal regulation. For further details please contact NOAA Office of Law Enforcement.