High Seas Fishing Permit Application and Instructions

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE

OMB No. 0648-0304
Expires: 01/31/2012

HIGH SEAS FISHING PERMIT APPLICATION
Please print legibly or type
SECTION 1. VESSEL INFORMATION
Vessel Name

USCG Doc. or State Reg. No.
Crew Size (including officers)

Shaft Horsepower

Radio Call Sign
Refrigeration Type (Check only one or write in)
ICE
BRINE
BLAST
PLATE
RSW

TUNNEL

OTHER: _______________________________

SECTION 2. VESSEL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
Managing owner as shown on USCG Form 1270 or State registration. Include other owners on a separate sheet of paper.
A copy of the USCG documentation or state registration must be submitted with this application.
Owner's Name, Last

First

Company Name, if vessel is owned by a corporation

Business Address

Middle

Tax Identification No.

Suffix

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)

State and Date of Formation
(mm/dd/yyyy)
Phone Number
Zip code

City and State

Fax Number

Email Address (optional)

SECTION 3. VESSEL OPERATOR INFORMATION
Operator's Name, Last

First

Company Name, if vessel is owned by a corporation
Business Address

Middle

Suffix

Tax Identification No.

State and Date of Formation
(mm/dd/yyyy)
Phone Number

City and State

Zip code

Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy)
Fax Number

Email Address (optional)

SECTION 4. VESSEL STATUS
Has the vessel identified above flown the flag of another nation within the last three years?

YES

NO

If yes, provide the following information for each period during which the vessel operated under other than the U.S flag:
period beginning and end dates (mm-dd-yyyy); vessel name, flag, international radio call sign, and homeport; owner
name, date of birth, address, phone, and fax; and operator name, date of birth, address, phone, and fax. Provide the
information on a separate sheet of paper.

Has the vessel identified above, under its current name/flag or any previous names/flags,
had any permit or license suspended or revoked within the past three years?

YES

NO

If yes, list and attach on a separate sheet of paper the circumstances surrounding each such instance and provide an
explanation of the current status of the suspension or revocation including whether there has been a change in
ownership of the vessel.
FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Date Received:

Check/Money Order Number:

Reviewer:

SECTION 5. VESSEL TYPE
Check the box for the vessel type that best describes your vessel. Check only one.
PURSE SEINERS

LONGLINERS

0228 - Tuna Purse Seiner
0229 - Purse Seiner, Other
GILL NETS
0410 - Drift Netter

OTHER LINERS

0623 - Freezer Longliner

0705 - Squid Jigging Line Vessel

0624 - Factory Longliner

0710 - Handliner

0626 - Tuna Longliner

0720 - Pole and Line Vessel

0627 - Longliner, Other

0730 - Troller

0490 - Gill Netter, Other

SECTION 6. AUTHORIZED HIGH SEAS FISHING ACTIVITIES
Refer to the list of Authorized High Seas Fishing Activities in the instructions. Check below those under which you
intend to fish on the high seas. You must select at least one; however, check only those under which you will actually
fish. You are responsible for meeting the reporting requirements for all you request.
50 CFR 635 - Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
50 CFR 660, Subpart K - Pacific Highly Migratory Species Fisheries
50 CFR 665, Subpart C - Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries
South Pacific Albacore Troll Fishing
50 CFR 300, Subpart C - Pacific Tuna Fisheries
50 CFR 300, Subpart D - South Pacific Tuna Fisheries
50 CFR 300, Subpart G - Antarctic Marine Living Resources

SECTION 7. SIGNATURE
All applications must be signed and dated.
A non-refundable application fee of $129 in the form of a check or money order made payable to "U.S. Department of

Commerce - NOAA" must accompany each application. Mail the application, payment, and a copy of the vessel's
USCG documentation or state registration to the Regional Administrator with whom you normally interact on fisheries
matters. Addresses are provided in the application instructions.
By signing this application, the undersigned owner or operator of the vessel identified above states, under penalty, that
all information set forth within this application is truee and complete.

Signature

Name (print legibly or type)

Date

Submission of application information is mandatory in order to be considered for a permit and is used in determining if a permit
should be issued. The 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: NMFS,
Office of International Affairs, 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Notwithstanding any other provision of 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.
Disclosure of your Taxpayer Identification Number [Social Security Number (SSN) or Employer Identification Number] is mandatory.
Statutory provisions enacted by the Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-134) require that persons doing
business with the Federal Government, including those applying for licenses or permits, must present their Taxpayer Identification
Number. SSNs will remain confidential and will be protected from disclosure in accordance with applicable law.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE
PERMIT APPLICATION FOR COMMERCIAL FISHING ON THE HIGH SEAS

GENERAL INFORMATION
This information is being collected by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) to ensure timely and accurate
records are available concerning the fishing vessels of the U.S. that participate in fishing on the high seas,
consistent with the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act.
A permit is required for commercial fishing vessels that harvest species on the high seas. Consult the U.S. Code
of Federal Regulations (Title 50 CFR Part 300 Subpart B) for application requirements, permit eligibilities, and
related information.
Complete all sections of the application form. Applications should be typed or hand written in ink. Incomplete or
illegible applications will not be accepted.
The application fee is $129. A check or money order payable to the “U.S. Department of Commerce – NOAA”
must accompany each application.
Mail the application, payment, and all required supporting information to one of the offices noted in Section 6
below. Submit your application to the Regional Administrator with whom you normally interact on fisheries matters.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
SECTION 1. VESSEL INFORMATION
Enter the U.S. Coast Guard Official (USCG) Documentation Number assigned to the vessel and name of the
vessel. Attach a copy of the vessel’s current documentation (Form CG-1270). If the vessel is not USCG
documented, enter the vessel’s current state registration number and attach a copy of the vessel’s current state
registration. Insure that all photocopies are completely legible.
Enter the radio call sign currently assigned to the vessel.
Enter the total number of crew members and officers the vessel normally carries.
Enter shaft horsepower.
Indicate refrigeration type. If selecting “OTHER,” write in the refrigeration type.
SECTION 2. VESSEL OWNERSHIP INFORMATION
If the vessel is owned by a corporation or limited liability company, enter the company name and the jurisdiction
(state) where the company was formed and the date of formation (such as the date the articles of incorporation or
registration documents were filed), taxpayer identification number, business address, and phone and fax
numbers.
If the vessel is owned by individual(s) or a partnership, provide each owner’s full legal name, date of birth,
business address, telephone number, and fax number. Inclusion of an email address is optional.
If there is more than one owner, attach the required information for each additional owner on a separate paper.
SECTION 3. VESSEL OPERATOR INFORMATION
Enter the name, date of birth, business address, telephone number, and fax number for the individual or
partnership that has control over the operation of the vessel. If the vessel operator is a corporation or a limited
liability company, enter the company name and the jurisdiction (state) where the company was formed and the
date of formation (such as the date the articles of incorporation or registration documents were filed), and the
taxpayer identification number. Inclusion of an email address is optional.
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SECTION 4. VESSEL STATUS
Indicate whether the vessel has flown the flag of another nation within the last three years. Also indicate if the
vessel, under its current or any previous names/flags, had any permit or license suspended or revoked within the
past three years. Provide the additional information concerning the circumstances regarding the suspension or
revocation. Indicate whether the suspension or revocation was related to a failure to comply with conservation
and management measures.
SECTION 5. FISHING VESSEL TYPE
Check the box for the principal vessel type of your vessel. Only one type may be selected.
SECTION 6. AUTHORIZED HIGH SEAS FISHING ACTIVITIES
Fishing on the high seas must generally be associated with at least one fishery that is authorized by a Fishery
Management Plan or an international regional fisheries organization. Indicate those fisheries for which you already
hold a permit or have applied for a permit and under which you will actually fish. You are responsible for
meeting the reporting requirements for all you select. Below
are the laws and regulations that apply to the
.
fisheries. The NMFS office to which you submit the application for a high seas permit is also listed below.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (50 CFR 635): Fishing in the Atlantic Ocean for Atlantic tunas, swordfish and
sharks by vessels (on the high seas, the vessels are primarily longline) with permits issued pursuant to Title 50 of
the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 635 – Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS); Fishery Management
Plan (FMP) for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish and Sharks; International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic
Tunas (ICCAT), 1969; Atlantic Tunas Convention Act of 1975 (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.).
Applications for High Seas Fishing Permits to fish for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, and sharks should be sent
to one of the following two offices:
Regional Administrator, Southeast Region
Regional Administrator, Northeast Region
National Marine Fisheries Service
National Marine Fisheries Service
Constituency Services Branch
55 Great Republic Drive
263 13th Avenue South
Gloucester, MA 01930-2276
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (978) 281-9300; Fax: (978) 281-9333
Phone: (727) 824-5326; Fax: (727) 551-5747
For additional information on Atlantic HMS, including information about reporting requirements, contact:
National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of Sustainable Fisheries
Highly Migratory Species Management Division (F/SF1)
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 713-2347; Fax: (301) 713-1917

Pacific HMS Fisheries (50 CFR 660, Subpart K): Albacore troll fishing conducted in the North Pacific Ocean,
tuna purse seine fishing, and tuna longline fishing (i.e., deep set fishing) by vessels with permits issued pursuant to
50 CFR 660, Subpart K – Pacific HMS Fisheries; Fishery Management Plan for West Coast HMS.
Pacific Tuna Fisheries (50 CFR 300, Subpart C): Tuna purse seine fishing in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean
regulated pursuant to 50 CFR 300, Subpart C – Pacific Tuna Fisheries and 50 CFR 216.24 – Taking and related
acts incidental to commercial fishing operations by tuna purse seine vessels in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean;
Convention for the Establishment of an Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), 1949; Tuna
Conventions Act of 1950 (16 U.S.C. 951-961) as amended by the International Dolphin Conservation Act (IDCA) of
March 3, 1999 (16 U.S.C. 1413).
South Pacific Albacore Troll Fishery: Albacore troll fishing conducted in the South Pacific Ocean.

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The following office accepts High Seas Fishing Permit Applications for Pacific HMS Fisheries, Pacific Tuna
Fisheries, and South Pacific Albacore Troll Fishery and can provide additional information on these
fisheries, including information about reporting requirements:
Regional Administrator, Southwest Region
National Marine Fisheries Service
501 West Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200
Long Beach, CA 90802-4213
Phone: (562) 980-4198; Fax: (562) 980-4047
Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries (50 CFR 665, Subpart C): Fishing using troll, handline, or longline for Pacific
pelagic management unit species regulated pursuant to 50 CFR 665, Subpart C – Western Pacific Pelagic
Fisheries; FMP for Pelagic Fisheries of the Western Pacific Region.
South Pacific Tuna Fisheries (50 CFR 300, Subpart D): Tuna purse seine fishing in the South Pacific Ocean
regulated pursuant to 50 CFR 300, Subpart D – South Pacific Tuna Fisheries; Treaty on Fisheries Between the
Governments of Certain Pacific Island States and the Government of the United States of America (SPTT), 1987;
South Pacific Tuna Act of 1988 (16 U.S.C. 973 et seq).
The following office accepts High Seas Fishing Permit Applications for Western Pacific Pelagic Fisheries
and South Pacific Tuna Fisheries and can provide additional information on these fisheries, including
information about reporting requirements:
National Marine Fisheries Service
Pacific Islands Regional Office
ATTN: Permits
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700
Phone: (808) 944-2200; Fax: (808) 973-2941
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (50 CFR 300, Subpart G): Fishing for species specified in a valid
Antarctic Marine Living Resources (AMLR) harvesting permit, issued in accordance with 50 CFR 300.112, within
the area of the Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources outside of Exclusive
Economic Zones in the Southern Ocean. Fishing must be conducted only for the species specified in a valid
AMLR harvesting permit, which will also specify the area(s) of Convention waters authorized for fishing, validity
period of the AMLR harvesting permit and any other requirements and conditions of fishing deemed necessary.
Once the validity period of an AMLR permit has ended, no further fishing may be conducted in Convention
waters until another valid AMLR harvesting permit authorizes additional fishing in Convention waters;
Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Living Marine Resources, 1982; Antarctic Marine Living Resources
Act of 1984, (16 U.S.C. 2431 et seq.).
The following office accepts High Seas Fishing Permit Applications for Antarctic Marine Living Resource
fisheries and can provide additional information on these fisheries, including information about reporting
requirements:
National Marine Fisheries Service
Office of International Affairs
1315 East West Highway (F/IA)
Silver Spring, MD 20910
Phone: (301) 713-9090; Fax: (301) 713-9106
SECTION 7. SIGNATURE
The application must be signed by the owner or operator of the vessel. Sign and print your name and enter the
date the application was signed. Be sure to include the non-refundable application fee in the form of a check or
money order made payable to the “U.S. Department of Commerce – NOAA” along with the vessel’s USCG
documentation or state registration. The application fee is $129.

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