Herring limited access permit application

Northeast Region Federal Fisheries Initial Permit Application
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
PERMIT OFFICE
ONE BLACKBURN DRIVE
GLOUCESTER, MA 01930-2298
Tel: (978) 281-9370

Section 1 - Vessel/Owner Information
Is this application for a vessel permit transfer? Yes No
If Yes, complete the vessel replacement portion of the Vessel Replacement, Upgrade, and Confirmation of Permit History Application.
Enter information in the spaces provided. All items must be completed.

Vessel Name:

Owner Name:

Street Address:
City:

State:

Zip:

Owner Telephone:(

)

CG Documentation or State Registration Number:
Home Port:

Principal Port:

Previously permitted Vessel Permit #

_____________(if applicable)
Section 2 - Vessel Information

Enter information in the spaces provided. All applicable items must be completed.

Vessel Length:________________________

Dredge Size: _______________________________

Overall length in feet.

Dredge size in feet.

Crew Size: ___________________________

Number of Dredges: _________________________

Average number or crew, including the captain.

Total number of dredges aboard the vessel.

Gross Tonnage: _______________________

Pump Horsepower: __________________________

As recorded on US Coast Guard Documentation.

This item applies to surf clam/ocean quahog vesssels only.

Year Built: ____________________________

Construction: 1 = wood

The year the vessel was built.

(please circle the number that applies to your vessel)

Main Engine HP: _______________________

Propulsion:

The vessel engine horsepower.

(please circle the number that applies to your vessel)

Fish Hold Capacity: __________________

Number of Charter/Party Passengers:____________

Measured to the nearest 100 pounds.

Number of passengers the vessel is licensed to carry.
(See Section 5D of instructions for additional documents required)

2 = fiberglass

1 = gasoline

Signature required on back of form

2 = diesel

3 = Steel

4 = Other

3 = Other

OMB# 0648-0202 Expires 6/30/2007

Section 3 - Fishery Information
Gear Codes
120 - Purse Seine
210 - Beach Seine
220 - Boat Seines 310 - Bottom Trawl
320 - Mid-water Trawl
330 - Other Trawl
410 - Dredge
800 - Pots & Traps 911 - Hand Lines
912 - Rod & Reel
913 - Tub Trawl 920 - Longlines or Setlines 1010 - Harpoons 1200 - Other Gears 1400 - Diving Gear 700 - Gill/Entangling Nets

Please circle the number or letter of the fishery category for which you are applying. Clearly print the associated gear code(s)
from the list above in the gear code section. Refer to instructions for allowable gear code(s) per category.
If you select a fishery category and gear code combination(s) for which your vessel is not eligible, the processing of your permit
may be delayed. See instructions for further details or call Northeast Permit Operations at (978) 281-9370.

Fisheries

Category

Category

Open Access
Atlantic Sea Scallop

1A

1B

Northeast Multispecies

HB

I

Monkfish

E

Surf Clam/Ocean Quahog

1

J

K

Gear Code(s)

Limited Access
2

3

4

5

6

7

A

C

D

E

F

HA

A

B

C

D

F

G

8

9

H

6

410 - Dredge only

Maine Mahogany Quahog

7

410 - Dredge only

Summer Flounder

2

1

Scup

2

1

Black Sea Bass

2

1

Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish

2

Spiny Dogfish

1

Atlantic Bluefish

1

2

Atlantic Herring

1

2

Tilefish

D

A

B

Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab

A

B

C

Skate

1
1

2

American Lobster - Non Trap

3

4

1

5

3
C

A1

A2(A2/3)

A4

A5

A3(A2/3)
800 - Pots and Traps only

American Lobster - Trap
A6

AOC

If you select A2 or A3, A2/3 will
automatically be issued to your vessel

Section 4 - Owner’s Signature
I, the undersigned, am the owner or legally authorized agent of the owner of the vessel named in Section 1 above. I affirm,
subject to the penalties provided in 18 USC 1001, that all information that I have given in obtaining this permit is true and correct.
Signature:
Date:

Print Name:

_________

__________________________________

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching
existing data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or suggestions for reducing this burden to: National Marine Fisheries Service, Permit Office, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. The Paperwork
Reduction Act requires that potential respondents for a fishing vessel permit be notified of certain information regarding their rights and the burden associated
with applying for Federal fisheries permits. One of the regulatory steps taken by the National Marine Fisheries Service to carry out its conservation and
management objectives is the requirement of a permit for users of the resources. All the fisheries included on this application require a permit to fish for or retain
specifically recognizes the need for permit issuance. The purpose and use of these permits are to (1) register industry participants and fishing vessels, (2) list
the characteristics of fishing vessels, (3) exercise influence over compliance, (4) provide a mailing list for the dissemination of important information to the
industry, (5) register participants to be considered to limited entry, and (6) provide a universe for data collection samples. Both the MSFCMA and Executive
Orders 12866 et al, require the determination of this information. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall
any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Any information submitted by any person to obtain a permit is not confidential, and may
be disclosed upon request.
Revised 8/26/2005 OMB# 0648-0202 Expires 6/30/2007

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
Northeast Regional Office/Fisheries Statistics Office
Initial Vessel Application
Instructions for Northeast Federal Fishing Vessel Permits
Mail the completed application package to: National Marine Fisheries Service, Northeast Permit
Operations, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. Walk-in application processing
service is not available. There is a 30-day processing period for all application packages. This 30day processing period begins when a correct and complete application package is received in the
Northeast Region Permit Office. Questions? Please refer to the NMFS Northeast Region Web Page
at www.nero.nmfs.gov/permits for applications, instructions, fisheries regulations, and other
important information, or call 978-281-9278 or e-mail [email protected].

™ Section 1: Vessel and Owner Information
Enter information in the spaces provided. All items must be completed.
Vessel Name: Current name of vessel, or enter “unnamed” if not applicable.
Owner Name: Include name exactly as it appears on the vessel ownership documentation (US
Coast Guard Documentation, State Registration, or Title of Vessel Ownership). If the vessel is
owned by a corporation, submit a current copy of the Articles or Incorporation or Organization
verifying corporate status. If the vessel is owned by a partnership, submit a current copy of the
Partnership agreement. See Section 5A for additional documents required.
Address and Telephone Number: Include 4-digit addition to zip code (if known) and area code
for phone number.
U.S. Coast Guard Documentation or State Registration Number: You must include a copy
of a valid US Coast Guard document or State registration for your vessel in your application
package. (See Section 5C for additional documents required.)
Hailing Port: City and State where vessel is moored.
Principal Port: City and State where the majority of your landings occur.

™ Section 2: Additional Vessel Information
Enter information in spaces provided. All applicable items must be completed.
Vessel length: Overall length in feet.
Crew Size: Average number of crew, including the captain.
Gross Tonnage: As recorded on US Coast Guard Documentation.
Year Built: The year the vessel was built.
Main Engine HP: The vessel engine horsepower.
Fish Hold Capacity: Measured to the nearest 100 pounds.
Dredge Size: Dredge size in feet.
Number of Dredges: Total number of dredges aboard the vessel.
Pump Horsepower: This item applies to surf clam/ocean quahog vessels only.
Construction: 1=Wood, 2=Fiberglass, 3=Steel, 4=Other. (Circle applicable number)
Propulsion: 1=Gasoline, 2=Diesel, 3=Other. (Circle applicable number)
Number of Passengers for Charter or Party: Number of passengers the vessel is licensed to
carry. (See Section 5D for additional documents required.)
In Sections 1 and 2 of the initial vessel application, fill in all items.

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™ Section 3: Fishery Information
Except as noted for limited access fisheries, circle a fishery category and enter the applicable gear
codes in the spaces provided. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations for further restrictions –
http://www.nero.noaa.gov/ro/doc/the648.htm
Category:

For each fishery you want to apply for, select the category that best describes your
fishing operations, and circle the category numbers or letters in the column marked
“Category”. A description of Northeast fisheries permits and categories is contained
in this document on pages 3 – 9.

Gear Code:

For each fishery permit and category you select, you must write in the applicable
gear codes from the Gear Code table below. Write the gear code numbers in the
column marked "Gear Code". For certain permit categories, you are restricted on the
gear type you can use. For this information, see the description of each fishery
below. Where applicable, you may select more than one gear code for a category. If
no gear code is selected, the application cannot be processed and will be
returned to you.

Gear codes and explanations for section 3 of application
Gear Type
Purse Seines
Beach Seines
Boat Seines
Bottom Trawls
Mid-water Trawls

Code
120
210
220
310
320

Gear Type
Other Trawls
Dredge
Gill/Entangling Nets
Pots and Traps
Hand Lines

Code
330
410
700
800
911

Gear Type
Rod and Reel
Tub Trawl
Longlines or Setlines
Harpoons
Other Gears
Diving Gear

Code
912
913
920
1010
1200
1400

™ Section 4: Owner’s Signature
Please sign and date the form. Unsigned, or otherwise incomplete applications, will be returned.
Your signature is an affirmation, under penalty of perjury, that all the information provided in
obtaining this permit is true and correct. Submitting false information in connection with an
application could subject you to criminal/civil penalties or permit sanctions. [18 U.S.C. 1001]

™ Section 5: Additional Documents Required
5A - Certificate of incorporation, partnership agreement or annual reports
If the vessel is owned by a corporation or a partnership, the following information must be
submitted with the application form:
• A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation must be submitted once. Each year, documents
showing current corporate status and all officers and shareholders owning 25% or more of the
shares in the corporation must be submitted.
• The list of corporate officers and shareholders must include their addresses (examples of
acceptable documentation include Minutes from the Corporation Annual Meeting listing the
names and addresses of the officers and stockholders, or a signed and dated letter from a
Corporate Officer listing the names and addresses of current officers and stockholders).
• Partnerships must submit a copy of the partnership agreement once. Each year, the names and
addresses of all partners must be submitted.
5B - Scallop Vessels Owned
If applying for a limited access sea scallop permit, all owners of the vessel must attach a completed
NMFS scallop ownership form listing all vessels in which they personally have ownership interests
that also have limited access permits in the Atlantic Sea Scallop fishery.
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5C - USCG Documentation/State Registration
A copy of the vessel’s valid US Coast Guard Documentation, or, if undocumented, a copy of the
vessel’s current State Registration. Permit applications will not be accepted if the vessel
registration has expired before National Marine Fisheries Service receives it.
5D - Charter/Party Permit
If you are applying for a charter/party permit, you must submit a copy of one of the following
documents:
• Valid state license showing the vessel is authorized to carry charter/party passengers.
• Valid US Coast Guard Documentation showing vessel is documented for “Coastwise” trade.
• Valid US Coast Guard license to operate or navigate passenger-carrying vessels.
5E - Atlantic Herring Fishery
If you catch or land or intend to catch or land more than 500mt of Atlantic Herring during this
calendar year, or, if your vessel caught or landed more than 500 mt of Atlantic herring in the
previous fishing year, submit a signed statement verifying that you did so, or that you intend to do
so, and attach a copy of a vendor installation receipt from a NMFS-approved Vessel Monitoring
System (VMS) vendor, as described in Section 648.9 of the regulations for the Fisheries of the
Northeastern United States.

Description of Northeast Fisheries Permits – Categories Are Shaded
™ Atlantic Sea Scallop
Open Access Permit: Further restrictions may apply. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
General non-VMS: Fish for, possess or land no more than 40 lbs of shucked or 5 bu of
1A
in-shell scallops per trip. This category includes all gear types.
General VMS required: Fish for, possess or land no more than 400 lbs of shucked or 50
1B bu of in-shell scallops per trip. Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) required to be installed
onboard vessel. This category includes all gear types.
Limited Access Permits: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. All permits issued will be valid for the entire
fishing year. A vessel owner has 45 days from the first effective date of the permit within a permit
year to make a change to the limited access Sea Scallop permit category. If you are applying for a
limited access scallop permit, you must attach a completed NMFS scallop ownership (see section
5B for details). Further restrictions may apply, refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
2 Full-Time: * This category includes all gear types except bottom trawl.
3 Part-Time: * This category includes all gear types except bottom trawl.
4 Occasional: This category includes all gear types except bottom trawl.
Full-Time Small Dredge: * Category 3 (Part-Time) vessel may elect this category for the
5 entire year if the vessel uses one dredge no larger than 10.5 ft. and with no more than five
people on board. This category is limited to dredge (gear code 410) gear only.
Part-Time Small Dredge: * Category 4 (Occasional) vessel may elect this category for the
6 entire year if the vessel uses one dredge no larger than 10.5 ft. and with no more than five
people on board. This category is limited to dredge (gear code 410) gear only.
7 Full-Time: Authorized to use trawl nets: * This category is limited to bottom trawl nets
(gear code 310) gear only.
8 Part-Time: Authorized to use trawl nets: * This category is limited to bottom trawl nets
(gear code 310) gear only.
9

Occasional: Authorized to use trawl nets: This category is limited to bottom trawl nets
(gear code 310) gear only.
* Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) required to be installed and in continuous operation
onboard the vessel.
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™ Northeast Multispecies
“Regulated” species: Cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder, pollock, redfish (ocean perch), winter
flounder (blackback), American plaice (dab), witch flounder (grey sole), windowpane flounder
(sand dab) and white hake
Other Northeast multispecies: Silver hake (whiting), red hake (ling), offshore hake, ocean pout,
and Atlantic halibut.
**********************************************************************
Limited Access Permits: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Please note: All permits issued will be valid for
the entire fishing year. A NE multispecies limited access permit holder has 45 days from the first
effective date of his/her permit within a permit year to make a change to the NE multispecies
permit category. Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Northeast Fisheries
Regulations.
A
Individual DAS: This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
Small Vessel Exemption: (less than or equal to 30 feet) This category includes all gear
C
types except dredge gear.
Hook Gear: (Vessels in this category may not change category) This category is limited
D
to handlines (gear code 911), rod and reel (gear code 912), tub trawl (gear code 913)
and longlines (gear code 920) gear only.
Combination Vessels: (Vessels in this category may not change category) This category
E
includes all gear types except a dredge.
Large Mesh Individual DAS: Category A (Individual DAS) or E (Combination) vessels
may elect this category for the entire year providing the vessel meets the following
requirements. Category A DAS for vessels fishing under this permit category will be
increased by 36%. These vessels must fish with either gillnets or trawl nets having a
F
minimum of 8.5-inch square or diamond mesh when fishing in the Gulf of Maine, Georges
Bank, or Southern New England Regulated Mesh Areas, and 7.5-inch diamond or 8.0-inch
square mesh when fishing in the Mid-Atlantic Regulated Mesh Area. This category is
limited to gear types/codes 120, 210, 220, 310, 320, 330 and 700 only.
Handgear A: (Vessels in this category may not change category) The vessel may
possess and land up to 300 lb cod, one Atlantic halibut, and daily possession limit
HA
restrictions allowed for the remaining regulated species. This category is limed to rod and
reel (gear code 912), handline (gear code 911) or tub trawl (gear code 913) gear only.
Open Access Permits: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Northeast
Fisheries Regulations.
Handgear B: The vessel may possess and land up to 75 lb cod, one Atlantic halibut, and the
daily possession limit restrictions allowed for the remaining regulated species.
HB
This category includes rod and reel (gear code 912), handline (911) or tub trawl (gear code
913) gear only.
Charter/Party: The vessel may possess and land multispecies in the EEZ when carrying
I
passengers for hire. This category is limited to rod and reel (gear code 912) and handline
(gear code 911) gear only. See Section 5D for additional information.
Scallop Multispecies Possession Limit: The vessel may possess and land up to
J
300 lb of regulated species while fishing under a scallop DAS. Vessel must have a Limited
Access Scallop Permit to qualify for this category. This category includes all gear types.
Open Access Multispecies: The vessel may fish for silver hake (whiting), red hake (ling),
K
offshore hake, ocean pout, or Atlantic halibut when participating in an exempted fishing
program. This category includes all gear types.

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™ Monkfish
Limited Access Permits: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to specific
categories. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
Vessels may elect this category that were issued permits in this category in the previous fishing
A year and that do not possess a limited access multispecies permit or a limited access scallop
permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
Vessels may elect this category that were issued permits in this category in the previous fishing
year and that do not possess a limited access multispecies permit or a limited access scallop
B
permit that are less than 51 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) and do not qualify for a Category A
permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge.
Vessels may elect this category that were issued permits in this category in the previous fishing
C year and that do not possess a limited access multispecies permit or a limited access scallop
permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge.
Vessels may elect this category that were issued permits in this category in the previous fishing
year and that also possess a limited access multispecies permit or a limited access scallop
D
permit that are less than 51 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) and do not qualify for a Category C
permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge.
Offshore Fishery Program: Vessels may elect this category that were issued permits in any
of the other monkfish limited access permit categories in the previous fishing year. Vessels
electing this category must have an operational vessel monitoring system (VMS) installed on
F
the vessel, and are restricted to fishing under a monkfish DAS during the specified season of
October 1 – April 30 each year and within the Offshore Fishery Program area. This category
includes all gear types.
Vessels Fishing South of 38°20 N. Lat. – Vessels issued a limited access Category G or H
permit are restricted to fishing under a monkfish DAS in the area south of 38°20 N. lat.
Vessels that do not qualify for a monkfish limited access Category A, B, C, or D permit that
landed at least 50,000 lb tail-weight or 166,000 lb whole weight of monkfish in the area south
G of 38°N. lat. during the period March 15 through June 15 in the years 1995 to 1998, may elect
this permit category with proof of monkfish landings. The application deadline for this permit is
April 30, 2006. This category includes all gear types.
Vessels that do not qualify for a monkfish limited access Category A, B, C, D, or G permit that
landed at least 7,500 lb tail-weight or 24,900 lb whole weight of monkfish in the area south of
H 38°N. lat. during the period March 15 through June 15 in the years 1995 to 1998, may elect
this permit category with proof of monkfish landings. The application deadline for this permit is
April 30, 2006. This category includes all gear types.
Open Access Permit: This permit may be issued to any vessel not issued a monkfish limited
access permit—to fish for, possess, or land monkfish. Further restrictions may apply to this
category. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
Incidental Catch: Allows a vessel to possess and land a limited amount of monkfish,
E depending on fishing year, area fished, and gear fished. For specific limit amounts,
contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at 978-281-9315. This category includes all gear
types.
Area Declaration: Please note that vessels fishing exclusively in the Northern Fishery
Management Area for monkfish may request a Southern Fishery Management Area Exemption
Certificate. Contact Northeast Permit Operations at 978-281-9370.

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™ Surfclam/Ocean Quahog
Open Access Permits: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Northeast
Fishery Regulations.
1 Surfclam: The vessel may fish for surfclams. * This category is limited to dredge (gear
code 410) gear only.
Ocean Quahog: The vessel my fish for ocean quahogs. * This category is limited to
6
dredge (gear code 410) gear only.
* To possess and land surfclams or ocean quahogs from the EEZ, an allocation of quota is required.
For more information call 978-281-9315.
Limited Access Permit: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category.
Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
Maine Mahogany Quahog: The vessel may harvest and land ocean quahogs without an
7 allocation from the EEZ in the area north of 43º 50´N latitude. This category is limited to
dredge (gear code 410) gear only.

™ Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Limited Access Permit: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category.
Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
1 Fluke Commercial Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.
Open Access Permit: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Northeast Fisheries
Regulations.
Charter/Party: May fish for or possess summer flounder in the EEZ while carrying
2 passengers for hire. See Section 5D for additional information. This category includes all
gear types.
™ Scup (Porgy)
Limited Access Permit: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category.
Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
1 Scup Commercial Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.
Open Access Permit: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Northeast Fisheries
Regulations.
Charter/Party: May fish for or possess scup in the EEZ while carrying passengers for
2
hire. See Section 5D for additional information. This category includes all gear types.

™ Black Sea Bass
Limited Access Permit: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category.
Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
1 Black Sea Bass Commercial Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.
Open Access Permit: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Northeast Fisheries
Regulations.
Charter/Party: The vessel may fish for or possess black sea bass in the EEZ north of 35º
2 15.3´N. latitude while carrying passengers for hire. See Section 5D for additional
information. This category includes all gear types.
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™ Squid, Atlantic Mackerel, and Butterfish
Limited Access Permits: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to specific
categories. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
1 Loligo/Butterfish Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.
5 Illex Squid Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.
Open Access Permits: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Northeast
Fisheries Regulations.
Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish Charter/Party: May fish for or possess Loligo or Illex squid,
2 mackerel or butterfish in the EEZ while carrying passengers for hire. See Section 5D for
additional information. This category includes all gear types.
Squid/Butterfish Incidental Catch: May fish commercially in the EEZ for up to 2,500 lb of
3 Loligo squid or butterfish and 10,000 lb of Illex squid per trip. This category includes all gear
types.
Atlantic Mackerel: May commercially fish for Atlantic mackerel in the EEZ. This category
4 includes all gear types. Atlantic mackerel at-sea processing vessels must apply for a permit as
a dealer/processor. Contact Northeast Permit Operations at (978) 281-9370 for information.

™ Spiny Dogfish
Open Access Permit: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Northeast
Fisheries Regulations.
General: May commercially fish for, possess, or land spiny dogfish caught in or from the
1 EEZ. This category includes all gear types.

™ Atlantic Bluefish
Open Access Permits: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Northeast
Fisheries Regulations.
Commercial: May possess or harvest Atlantic bluefish from the EEZ in excess of the daily
1 possession limit. This category includes all gear types.
2

Charter/Party: Vessel may fish for or possess Atlantic bluefish from the EEZ while carrying
passengers for hire. See Section 5D for additional information. This category includes all
gear types.

™ Atlantic Herring
Open Access Permits: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Northeast
Fisheries Regulations.
If you catch or land or intend to catch or land more 500 mt of Atlantic herring during this
calendar year, or did catch or did land more than 500 mt of Atlantic herring in the last
1 calendar year. An operational Vessel Monitoring System is required to be onboard
the vessel for this category. See Section 5E for additional information. This category
includes all gear types.
For vessels that did not catch more than 500 mt of Atlantic herring in the previous calendar
2 year or will not catch more than 500 mt of Atlantic herring during the current calendar year.
This category includes all gear types.
Processing permit: A vessel of the United States that is > 165 feet (50.3m) LOA, or >
750 GRT (680.4 mt) is eligible to obtain an Atlantic herring processing permit to receive and
3 process Atlantic herring subject to the U.S. at-sea processing (USAP) allocation published by
the Regional Administrator pursuant to § 648.200. This category does not authorize the
harvest of Atlantic herring, only the receiving and processing of Atlantic herring.
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™ Tilefish
Limited Access Permits: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to specific
categories. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
A Full-time tier 1: This category includes all gear types.
B Full-time tier 2: This category includes all gear types.
C Part-time: This category includes all gear types.
Open Access Permit: This permit may be issued to any vessel not issued a tilefish limited access
permit—to fish for, possess, or land tilefish in or from the EEZ. Further restrictions may apply to
this category. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
Incidental Catch: A vessel may possess or land tilefish in or from the EEZ up to 133 lb
D
per trip for fishing year 2005. This category includes all gear types.

™ Skate
Northeast Skate Complex (Skate) - The following species of skates comprise the NE skate
complex and are included under the Federal skate permit: Winter skate; barndoor skate; thorny
skate; smooth skate; little skate; clearnose skate; and rosette skate.
Open Access Permit: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Northeast
Fisheries Regulations.
1 General: May commercially fish for, possess, or land skate caught in or from the EEZ. This
category includes all gear types.

™ Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Limited Access Permits: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held
them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply. Refer to
Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
Vessel in this category are subject to a baseline trip limit of 75,000 lb. This category is
B
limited to pots and traps (800) gear only.
Upon demonstrating proof of a trip with landings higher than 75,000 lb, the vessel qualifies
for a trip limit equal to the larger trip, rounded to the nearest 5,000 lb. This category is
C
limited to pots and traps (800) gear only.
Open Access Permit: This permit may be issued to any vessel not issued a red crab limited access
permit—to fish for, possess, or land red crab in or from the EEZ.
A May possess or land red crab in or from the EEZ up to 500 lb per trip. This category
includes all gear types.

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™ American Lobster
Limited Access Permits: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held them
or to approved replacements of such vessels. If eligible, you may select more than one category. Note,
if you designate more than one trap area, you will be subject to the most restrictive trap allocation of all
of the areas selected. Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Northeast Fisheries
Regulations.
Commercial Non-Trap: May harvest lobster in the EEZ. This category includes all gear types
1
except pots and traps. If you plan to fish with non-trap gear only, you are not required to
elect trap gear areas.
Charter/Party Non-Trap: May harvest lobster in the EEZ. This category includes all gear
2
types except pots and traps.
Commercial Trap Gear Area 1: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 1.
A1
This category is limited to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only.
Commercial Trap Gear Area 2: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 2.
A2
This category is limited to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only.
Commercial Trap Gear Area 6: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 6.
A6
Vessel owner must possess a valid CT or NY state lobster license to be eligible for this
category. This category is limited to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only.
Commercial Trap Gear Outer Cape Area: May harvest in Outer Cape Federal Lobster
AOC
Management Area. This category is limited to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only.
Note: Northeast Fisheries Regulations require NMFS to issue a Commercial Trap Gear Area 2/3 overlap
permit to any vessels that renew a Commercial Trap Gear Area 2 and (or) Area 3 permit.

™ American Lobster Historical Participation
Limited Access Permits: For information on the American Lobster Historical Participation program
contact the NMFS Northeast Region at (978) 281-9144.
Commercial Trap Gear Area 3: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 3.
A3 This category is limited to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only. **See eligibility
requirements below.
Commercial Trap Gear Area 4: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 4.
A4 This category is limited to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only. **See eligibility
requirements below.
Commercial Trap Gear Area 5: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 5.
A5 This category is limited to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only. **See eligibility
requirements below.
Note: Northeast Fisheries Regulations require NMFS to issue a Commercial Trap Gear Area 2/3 overlap
permit to any vessels that renew a Commercial Trap Gear Area 2 and (or) Area 3 permit.
** You may only select Areas 3, 4 or 5 on your application under the following
circumstances:
1. You have received a written Final Determination of Lobster Trap Area Eligibility letter that declares
your eligibility and specifies an approved trap allocation.
2. You submitted a Lobster Trap Area Eligibility Application prior to July 31, 2003, and were
subsequently issued an interim permit (LOI) to continue fishing in Area 3, 4 or 5 until the end of the
2004 fishing year or until notified by NMFS of your eligibility. If you fall into this category and have
not yet been notified of your eligibility, your interim permit can be carried over into the 2005 fishing
year.

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--Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 45 minutes per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining data needed, and completing & reviewing the information. Send comments regarding
this burden estimate or suggestions for reducing this burden to: National Marine Fisheries Service,
Northeast Permit Operations, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298. The Paperwork
Reduction Act requires that potential respondents for a fishing vessel permit be notified of certain
information regarding their rights and the burden associated with applying for Federal fisheries
permits.
One of the regulatory steps taken by the National Marine Fisheries Service to carry out its
conservation and management objectives is the requirement of a permit for users of the resources.
All the fisheries included on this application require a permit to fish for or retain these species in or
from the EEZ, Section 303 (b)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management
Act (MSFCMA) specifically recognizes the need for permit issuance. The purpose and use of these
permits are to: (1) register industry participants and fishing vessels, (2) list the characteristics of
fishing vessels, (3) exercise influence over compliance, (4) provide a mailing list for the
dissemination of important information to the industry, (5) register participants to be considered
for limited entry, and (6) provide a universe for data collection samples. Both the MSFCMA and
Executive Orders 12866 et al. require the determination of this information. Notwithstanding any
other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a
penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB
Control Number. Any information submitted by any person to obtain a permit is not confidential,
and may be disclosed upon request.

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