PORTLAND, Maine (AP) Interstate fishing managers say they have approved a new set of rules for lobster and crab fishing that they expect will improve data collection about the two valuable species.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission approved the new rules earlier this week. The commission says the new rules expand the amount of data fishermen are required to report and prioritizes development of electronic reporting.

The new rules apply to lobsters and Jonah crabs. The commission says both fisheries are expanding in offshore areas. It says the new rules are designed to alleviate concerns that current requirements for data reporting aren’t up to date.

The commission’s move comes at a time when the lobster fishery has been expanding in volume of catch every year. The fishery’s based mostly in Maine.