NE Region Vessel Permit Application

United States Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Region
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930

January 24, 2011
Dear Federal Fisheries Vessel Permit Applicant:
Enclosed is an Initial Federal Northeast Region (NER) Fishing Vessel Permit Application and
Instructions. This package contains answers to some of the frequently asked questions about
completing your application.
Important
Please read and follow the application instructions carefully. Failure to provide all required
information and additional documentation on or with the application will result in the
application being returned to you for completion and or correction. This may significantly delay
the issuance of your permit.
Federal Vessel Operator Permit
It is the responsibility of the vessel owner to ensure that their vessel issued NER permits is operated
by an individual(s) with a valid Federal Vessel Operator permit. Any individual operating a vessel
that is issued NER Federal Fishing Permits and fishing in the EEZ is subject to the vessel operator
permit requirements.
The Federal Vessel Operator Permit is a photo ID which is issued by NOAA Fisheries Service. This
permit must be carried by the operator of the vessel. Operator permits are issued for a 3-year
period and renewal applications are mailed 45 days before the expiration of the permit.
To ensure that your operator has a valid operator permit or to obtain an application, please call the
Permit Office at 978-282-8438. You or the operator of your vessel can obtain an application online
at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/permits/forms.html - the Operator application is contained on the
second link down called Initial Vessel Operator Permit.
Reminder: Vessel operators are required to report their operator permit number when completing
their Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs).
Reporting Requirements
Except as noted below, the owner or operator of a fishing vessel that has been issued a Federal NER
Fishing Permit has VTR reporting requirements for all fishing trips taken, regardless of species
targeted or waters fished. The two exceptions to this requirement exist for surfclam and ocean
quahog vessels which are required to report on clam log reports and for vessels that have only been
issued an American lobster permit, which has no Federal reporting requirements. For more
information, please call the Vessel Trip Reporting Office at 978-281-9246.

Application requirements
The following documents are enclosed in this package to assist you in completing your application
and to help you understand important measures you must comply with as a permit holder:
™ Initial vessel application.
™ Detailed permit application instructions, which include a list of permit categories.
™ Vessel Trip Report (VTR) guidelines.
™ Gillnet form (if applicable).
™ Vessel Ownership form.
™ Summary of control dates for NER fisheries.
This letter and the enclosures only summarize the legal requirements. For a complete
understanding of your obligations, you should consult the Code of Federal Regulations.
This information can be found at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/regs/.
Gillnet Form
If applying for a category A, E, or F NE multispecies permit with the intention of fishing with gillnet
gear, you must complete sections 1 and 3 of the Gillnet Form. If you wish to order gillnet tags for
either the NE multispecies or monkfish gillnet fishery at this time, you must also submit a completed
Gillnet Form.
For more information, please call Permits at 978-282-8458 or download the application at
http://www.nero.noaa.gov/permits/forms/GillnetTagOrderForm.pdf
Sale of Your Catch Requirements
All vessels issued a Federal NER fishing vessel permit, except those fishing on a party/charter trip,
are required to sell their catch of federally managed species only to seafood dealers with a valid
Federal NER dealer permit for that species. Federally permitted vessels with NER permits may not
sell their catch of federally managed species to persons or seafood dealers that do not have valid
Federal NER dealer permits.
Lobster Permit Holders
If you possess a limited access Federal American lobster permit and intend to fish with lobster traps,
you must declare into at least one lobster conservation management area (LCMA) and indicate traps
(gear code 800) as a gear type on your Federal permit application. Note: A vessel owner has 45
days from the first effective date of his/her permit within a permit year to make a change to the
American Lobster permit category. For more information, please call Sustainable Fisheries at
978-281-9246.
Tuna Permit Holders
Atlantic tunas vessel permits are issued through a separate permitting system, which can be
accessed by phone at 888-872-8862 or via the Internet at www.nmfspermits.com.
Renew or Lose
All limited access permits for which your vessel is qualified must be renewed each fishing year. If
you do not renew the vessel’s limited access permit(s) in any fishing year, your vessel will no longer
be eligible for the permit(s) in subsequent years.
Sincerely,

Ted Hawes, Operations Manager
Northeast Permit Office

Northeast Region Federal Fisheries Initial Permit Application
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE
PERMIT OFFICE
55 Great Republic Drive
GLOUCESTER, MA 01930-2276
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:

Mailing 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: Please check

✔

the number that applies to your vessel.

The year the vessel was built.

1 = Wood

Engine HP: _______________________
The vessel engine horsepower.

2 = Fiberglass

Propulsion: Please check
1 = Gasoline

✔

3 = Steel

4 = Other

the number that applies to your vessel.

2 = Diesel

3 = Other

Fish Hold Capacity: __________________

Number of Charter/Party Passengers:____________

Measured to the nearest 100 pounds.

Number of passengers the vessel is licensed to carry.
(See page 3 of instructions for additional documents required)

Signature required on back of form

OMB# 0648-0202 Expires 4/30/2013

Section 3 – Fishery Information
Gear Codes

120 – Purse Seine

210 – Beach Seine

220 – Boat Seines

310 – Bottom Trawl

320 – Midwater Trawl

330–Other
Trawl
913 – Tub Trawl

410 – Dredge

700 – Gill/Entangling Nets

800 – Pots & Traps

911 – Hand Lines

912 – Rod & Reel

1010 – Harpoons

920 – Longlines / Setlines

1400 – Diving Gear

1200 – Other Gears

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. Refer to the 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.
Open Access
Limited Access Categories
Fisheries
Categories
Qualified Vessels Only
Gear Code(s)
Atlantic Sea Scallop

2

3

4

Atlantic Sea Scallop – General

A

B

C

A

C

D

E

F HA

A

B

C

D

F G

Northeast Multispecies

HB

Monkfish

E

Surf Clam/Ocean Quahog

1

I*

J

K

5

6

7

8

9

H

6

410 – Dredge only

Maine Mahogany Quahog

7

Summer Flounder

2*

1

Scup

2*

1

Black Sea Bass

2*

1

Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish

2*

3

4

Incidental HMS Squid Trawl

1

410 – Dredge only

5

1

Spiny Dogfish

1

Atlantic Bluefish

1

Atlantic Herring

D

Tilefish

1

Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab

A

Skate

1

2*
A

B

C

B

C

American Lobster – Non Trap

1

2*

American Lobster - Trap

A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 AOC

2*

800 – Pots and Traps only

* Charter/Party permit categories
Section 5 – Application Checklist & Signature

Î Please include the applicable forms below with your signed and dated application
_____ All vessels: copy of current (not expired) US Coast Guard (CG) Documentation or State Registration.
_____ Corporations, LLCs, Partnerships: signed and dated list of current owners/officers/partners and their addresses.
_____ All vessels: Vessel Ownership Form with each vessel application.
_____ Charter/Party requests: CG Documentation must state “coastwise” or include a copy of a valid Captain’s license.
I, the undersigned, am the owner or legally authorized agent of the owner of the vessel named in Section 1. I affirm,
subject to the penalties provided in 18 USC 1001, that all information provided obtaining this permit is true and
correct.
Print Name: ______________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: ____________
Public reporting burden for the collection of information on this application is estimated to average 45 minutes per response, including time for reviewing
instructions, gathering needed data and documents, and completing the application. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or suggestions for
reducing this burden to: NOAA Fisheries, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requires that potential
respondents for this permit be notified of certain information regarding their rights and the burden associated with applying for Federal fisheries permits.
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 PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Owner
name, vessel characteristics, address, phone, and permit information will be released via a NOAA Fisheries website. All other data submitted will be handled
as confidential material in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fishery Statistics.
Revised 7/30/2011 OMB # 0648-0202 Expires: April 30, 2013

National Marine Fisheries Service / Northeast Regional Office 
Marine Fisheries Service / Northeast Regional Office 

Vessel Ownership Form 
•
•

Completion of this form is required with each application for a Northeast Federal fishing permit. 

List all persons and entities who have an ownership interest in the vessel that is the subject of this 
application. 

•

Owners or persons who have an ownership interest in a vessel are defined as and include, but are not 
limited to, corporations, partnerships, LLCs, persons who are shareholders in a corporation, persons 
who have formed a partnership (general or limited), and any other entities that have ownership 
interest in the vessel.   

Section A – Vessel applying for permit 
Vessel Name: 

Permit or Hull Number: 

Section B ‐ All persons and entities that have an ownership interest in the vessel must be listed below.  Do not 
include employees of the business unless they are an owner of the vessel or company. 
Mr/Mrs/Ms

First Name

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Middle Name

Middle Name

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply -

Officer

Officer

Middle Name

Owner

Officer

Last Name

Suffix Name

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix Name

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix Name

Shareholder

I, the undersigned, am the owner or legally authorized agent of the owner of the vessel named in Section A above.  I affirm, subject 
to the penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001, that all information that I have given in obtaining this permit is true and correct.   
OMB# 0648‐0202 Expires  04/30/2013 

Name of Applicant (print clearly)____________________________________ 

Signature of Applicant _________________________________________      Date_____________
Please use the back of this form to provide information on all persons with an ownership interest in the vessel. 

Page 2 ‐ Section B Continued ‐ All persons and entities that have an ownership interest in the vessel must be 
listed below.  Do not include employees of the business unless they are an owner of the vessel or company. 
Mr/Mrs/Ms

First Name

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Owner

Owner

Officer

Middle Name

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply -

Officer

Middle Name

First Name

Check all that apply -

Officer

Middle Name

First Name

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Middle Name

Officer

Middle Name

Owner

Officer

Last Name

Suffix Name

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix Name

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix Name

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix Name

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix Name

Shareholder

I, the undersigned, am the owner or legally authorized agent of the owner of the vessel named in Section A above.  I affirm, subject 
to the penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001, that all information that I have given in obtaining this permit is true and correct.   
OMB# 0648‐0202 Expires  04/30/2013 

Name of Applicant (print clearly)____________________________________ 

Signature of Applicant _________________________________________      Date_____________

Please copy this form as needed to provide information on all persons with an ownership interest in the vessel 
in Section A. 

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
Northeast Permit Office (978) 282-8438

Review checklist for the Initial Vessel Application

9 Ensure your application is complete
9 Please review the list below
9 Failure to include this information with your application will result in
processing delays or a possible return of your application.
Include with your signed and dated application:
•

A copy of your valid Coast Guard Documentation or a copy of your valid State Registration.
Expired registrations will not be accepted.

•

If your vessel is owned by a corporation or LLC, include a copy of the Certificate of
Organization/Incorporation including the full name and address of all officers and shareholders.

•

If your vessel is owned by a Partnership, include a copy of Partnership Agreement and the full
name and address of each partner.

•

To be eligible for a Federal party/charter permit you must include a copy of your Captain’s
License or a copy of your U.S. Coast Guard Documentation with a Coastwise endorsement.

•

Include a completed NMFS vessel ownership form listing all persons who have an ownership
interest in the vessel.

•

If applying for a NE multispecies category A, E, or F permit or a limited access monkfish permit
with the intention of fishing with gillnet gear, you must complete the NMFS Gillnet Form. Call
the Permit Office to obtain this application or go to http://www.nero.noaa.gov/permits/forms.html

National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Regional Office/Fisheries Statistics Office
Initial Vessel Application
Instructions for Northeast Federal Fishing Vessel Permits
Enclosed are the instructions for completing the Initial Fishing Vessel Application for Federal
Northeast Region (NER) fishing permits. This package contains definitions for each field on the
application, the additional documents required for a complete application, and a brief definition of
the fishery permits. These instructions do not contain all the regulatory provisions that pertain to
each fishery, and are not a substitute for the regulations. A copy of the regulations can be
obtained through NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service NERO web site:
http://www.nero.noaa.gov. If you have further questions, please contact the Sustainable
Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315.
Please read and follow the application instructions carefully. Failure to provide all required
information and additional documentation will result in the application being returned to you for
completion. You cannot fish without a current and valid permit.
Walk-in application processing service is not available. There is a 30-day processing period for all
application packages. This 30-day 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 http://www.nero.noaa.gov/permits/ for applications,
instructions, fisheries regulations, and other important information, or call 978-281-9370 or
e-mail [email protected].
Mail the completed application package to:
National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Permit Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930-2276
Section 1 - Vessel and Owner Information (all items must be filled in)
Vessel Name
Current name of vessel, or enter “unnamed” if not applicable.
Owner Name
Include the owner name (business name or person name) exactly as it appears on the
United States Coast Guard Documentation, State Registration, or Title of Vessel
Ownership. If your vessel's state registration does not list all owners of the vessel, also
provide a copy of the vessel's title, or other documentation from the appropriate state
agency that identifies all vessel owners. If the vessel is owned by a company, LLC, or
partnership, you must provide the full name and mailing address of all officers and
shareholders in the business (see page 3 for further details).
Address and Telephone Number
Provide primary address and include 4-digit addition to zip code (if known). Also provide
area code and phone number (additional phone numbers may be provided).

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Page 1 of 11

U.S. Coast Guard Documentation or State Registration Number
Provide United States Coast Guard Documentation Number or State Registration for your
vessel. A copy of the USCG Documentation or State Registration is also required, see
page 3 for further details.
Home 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
(Except where noted, all items on must be completed)
Vessel length:
Crew Size:
Gross Tonnage:
Year Built:
Main Engine HP:
Fish Hold Capacity:
Dredge Size:
Number of Dredges:
Pump Horsepower:
Construction:
Propulsion:
Charter Passengers:

Overall length in feet
Average number of crew, including the captain
As recorded on US Coast Guard Documentation or estimated gross
tonnage for state registered vessels
Year vessel was built
Vessel engine horsepower
Measured to the nearest 100 pounds
Dredge size in feet (not required if vessel does not use dredge gear)
Total number of dredges aboard the vessel (not required if vessel
does not use dredge gear)
This item applies to surf clam/ocean quahog vessels only
1=Wood, 2=Fiberglass, 3=Steel, 4=Other (Circle applicable number)
1=Gasoline, 2=Diesel, 3=Other (Circle applicable number)
Number of charter/party/headboat passengers the vessel is licensed
to carry (see page 3 for additional documents required)

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 4 – 10.
Gear Code
For each fishery permit and category you select, you must write in the applicable gear
codes from the Gear Code table on the application. 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 you do not write
in any gear codes, the application cannot be processed and will be returned to
you.

Revised 1/24/2011

OMB# 0648-0202

Page 2 of 11

Section 4 – Signature of Owner or Authorized Agent
Sign and date the form. Unsigned, or otherwise incomplete applications, will be returned.
Your signature is an affirmation that, under penalty of perjury, all the information provided
in order to obtain 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].

Additional Documents Required
USCG Documentation/State Registration
With each application, submit a copy of your current (not expired) United States Coast
Guard (USCG) Certificate of Documentation. If the vessel is not documented, send a copy
of a valid (not expired) state vessel registration for the vessel. Do not send your original.
We cannot accept a bill of sale or an application for renewal of the USCG Documentation.
If your vessel's state registration does not list all owners of the vessel, also provide a copy
of the vessel's title, or other documentation from the appropriate state agency that
identifies all vessel owners. A permit application will not be accepted if the vessel
registration or documentation has expired before we receive it.
Business/Corporate Information
If the vessel is owned by a business, corporation, LLC, or a partnership, the following
information must be submitted with the application form:
• A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation/Organization with the initial application.
• Partnerships must submit a copy of the partnership agreement each year which
includes the full name and current mailing address of each partner.
Owner/Shareholder Information via the Vessel Ownership Form
All applicants must attach a completed NMFS vessel ownership form listing and identifying
all owners and officers. Applicants must provide the full name of each owner and officer
regardless of their percentage ownership in the vessel.
Charter/Party/Headboat Vessels
If you are applying for a charter/party/headboat permit, submit a valid copy (not expired)
of at least one of the following:
• State license showing the vessel is authorized to carry charter/party passengers.
• US Coast Guard Documentation showing vessel is documented for “Coastwise” trade.
• US Coast Guard license to operate or navigate passenger-carrying vessels.
Gillnet Vessels applying for Limited Access NE Multispecies and Monkfish
If applying for a NE multispecies category A, E, or F permit with the intention of fishing
with gillnet gear, you must complete sections 1 and 3 of the NMFS Gillnet Form. If you
wish to order gillnet tags for either the NE multispecies or monkfish gillnet fishery, you
must also submit a completed NMFS Gillnet Form.

Revised 1/24/2011

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Page 3 of 11

Description of Northeast Fisheries Permits – Categories Are Shaded
™ Atlantic Sea Scallop
Limited Access Permit Categories: 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 (restrictions apply).
If you are applying for a limited access scallop permit, you must attach a completed NMFS vessel
ownership form (see page 3 for details). Further restrictions may apply, refer to Northeast Fisheries
Regulations.
2*
3*
4
5*

Full-Time: This category includes all gear types except bottom trawl.
Part-Time: This category includes all gear types except bottom trawl.
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
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
entire year if the vessel uses 1 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) only.
8*
Part-Time: Authorized to use trawl nets: This category is limited to bottom trawl nets
(gear code 310) only.
9
Occasional: Authorized to use trawl nets: This category is limited to bottom trawl
nets (gear code 310) only.
* A VMS is required to be installed and in continuous operation onboard the vessel,
unless the vessel is issued a VMS ‘Letter of Exemption’ from NMFS to power down the
VMS unit.
6*

Limited Access General Category (LAGC) Scallop permit categories: These permits may only
be issued to qualified vessels or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may
apply, refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations. Owners of vessels issued an NGOM or Incidental
scallop permit shall have one opportunity each fishing year to request a change in its permit
category by submitting an application within 45 days of the effective date of the vessel's permit.
After that date, the vessel must remain in that permit category for the duration of the fishing year.
If you are applying for an IFQ scallop permit, you must attach a completed NMFS vessel ownership
form (See page 3 for details).
A** LAGC – Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ permit)
B** LAGC – Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM permit)
LAGC – Incidental Catch (Incidental permit)
C**
** A VMS is required to be installed, activated, and a) transmitting a positional signal, or
b) declared into a scallop power down activity code, or c) issued a VMS ‘Letter of
Exemption’ from NMFS to power down the vessel’s VMS unit.
VMS purchase information:
Boatracs
Skymate
Telephone: 858-458-8100
Telephone: 866-759-6283
Fax: 858-458-8116
Fax: 703-814-8585
•

Thrane & Thrane
Telephone: 757-463-9557
Fax: 757-463-9581

See page 11 for a list of Northeast Fisheries gear types and their codes

Revised 1/24/2011

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Page 4 of 11

™ Northeast Multispecies
“Regulated” species (NE multispecies requiring regulated mesh): cod, haddock, yellowtail
flounder, pollock, redfish (ocean perch), winter flounder (blackback), American plaice (dab), witch
flounder (grey sole), windowpane flounder (sand dab), white hake, Atlantic halibut, and Atlantic
wolffish.
Other NE multispecies:
Silver hake (whiting), red hake (ling), offshore hake, and ocean pout.
Limited Access Permit Categories: 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 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* Day-at-Sea (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 to
D* 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 provided the vessels meet 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 minimum of 8.5-inch
F*
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 one Atlantic halibut and other possession restrictions for the remaining regulated
HA
species. This category is limited to rod and reel (gear code 912), handline (gear code 911)
or tub trawl (gear code 913) gear only.
* An operational VMS is required to be on board the vessel to fish for groundfish under a NE
multispecies DAS, on a sector trip, or a Handgear A vessel in the common pool that intends to fish
in more than one broad stock area (BSA) on a single trip.
Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer
to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
Handgear B: The vessel may possess and land one Atlantic halibut and other possession
HB restrictions for the remaining regulated species. This category includes rod and reel
(gear code 912), handline (gear code 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 (See page 3 for additional information). This category is limited to
rod and reel (gear code 912) and handline (gear code 911) gear only.
Scallop Multispecies Possession Limit: The vessel may possess and land up to 300 lb
of regulated species while fishing under a scallop DAS. Vessel must have a Limited
J
Access Scallop Permit (Categories 2 – 9) to qualify for this category. This
category includes all gear types.
Open Access Multispecies: The vessel may fish for silver hake (whiting), red hake
K
(ling), offshore hake, ocean pout, or Atlantic halibut when participating in an exempted
fishing program. This category includes all gear types.
• See page 11 for a list of NE Fisheries gear types and their codes.
Revised 1/24/2011

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™ Monkfish
Limited Access Permit Categories: 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 in this category may fish for monkfish provided that they do not possess a
A
limited access multispecies (with the exception of a Handgear A) permit or a limited
access scallop permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
Vessels in this category may fish for monkfish provided that they do not possess a
limited access multispecies (with the exception of a Handgear A) permit or a limited
B
access scallop permit, and 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
gear.
Vessels in this category may fish for monkfish provided they possess a limited access
C
multispecies permit or a limited access scallop permit. This category includes all gear
types except dredge gear.
Vessels in this category may fish for monkfish provided they possess a limited access
multispecies permit or a limited access scallop permit, and are less than 51 GRT and do
D
not qualify for a Category C permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge
gear.
Offshore Fishery Program: Vessels electing this category must have an operational
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) installed on the vessel, and are restricted to fishing
F* under a monkfish Days At Sea during the specified season of October 1–April 30 each
year and within the Offshore Fishery Program Area. This category includes all gear types
except dredge gear.
* Operational VMS required
To fish in the Offshore Fishery Program, a vessel must obtain a monkfish limited access Category
F permit and fish under this permit for the entire fishing year, subject to the conditions and
restrictions specified. The owner of a vessel, or authorized representative, may change the
vessel's limited access monkfish permit category within 45 days of the effective date of the
vessel's permit, provided the vessel has not fished under the monkfish DAS program during that
fishing year.
Limited Access Permit Categories for 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 may elect this category if they were issued permits in this category in the previous
G
fishing year. This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
Vessels may elect this category if they were issued permits in this category in the previous
H fishing year and that did not qualify for a category G permit. This category includes all gear
types.
Open Access Permit Categories: 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: Vessels electing this category may possess and land a limited amount
E of monkfish, depending on fishing year, area fished, and gear fished. This category
includes all gear types.
Area Declaration: Please note that vessels without an operational VMS unit fishing exclusively
in the Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA) for monkfish must request a Southern Fishery
Management Area (SFMA) Exemption Certificate in order to be exempt from the more restrictive
management measures of the SFMA. Contact the Permit Office at 978-281-9370. Vessels with
an operational VMS unit must declare the appropriate code to indicate they intend to fish
exclusively in the NFMA.
• See page 11 for a list of NE fisheries gear types and their codes.
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™ Surfclam/Ocean Quahog
Surfclam and ocean quahog vessels, as well as Maine mahogany quahog vessels, are required to
have an operational vessel monitoring system (VMS) on board their vessel. For open access
surfclam and ocean quahog vessels, VMS installation and operation must be verified prior to
issuance of the permit. Maine mahogany quahog permitted vessels are not required to install a
VMS unit until they fish for, land, take, possess, or transfer ocean quahogs under a limited access
Maine mahogany quahog permit. For more information on VMS requirements, call 978-2819315.
Open Access Permit Categories: 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. VMS required.
Ocean Quahog: The vessel may fish for ocean quahogs. This category is limited to
6*
dredge (gear code 410) gear only. VMS required.
To possess and land surfclams or ocean quahogs from the EEZ, an allocation of quota is required.
Limited Access Permit Categories: This permit may only be issued to vessels that have
previously held it 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
7*
an allocation from the EEZ in the area north of 43° 50´N. latitude. This category is
limited to dredge (gear code 410) gear only.
* Operational VMS required.

™ Summer Flounder (Fluke)
Limited Access Permit Categories: This permit may only be issued to vessels that have
previously held it or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to
this category. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
1 Commercial Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.
Open Access Permit Categories: 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 Categories: This permit may only be issued to vessels that have
previously held it 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 Categories: 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.
•

See page 11 for a list of NE fisheries gear types and their codes.

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™ Black Sea Bass
Limited Access Permit Categories: This permit may only be issued to vessels that have
previously held it 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 Categories: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to
Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
Charter/Party: May fish for or possess black sea bass in the EEZ north of 35º 15.3´ N.
2 latitude while carrying passengers for hire (See Section 5 D for additional information). This
category includes all gear types.

™ Squid, Atlantic Mackerel, and Butterfish
Limited Access Permit Categories: 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 Permit Categories: 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
2 squid, mackerel or butterfish in the EEZ while carrying passengers for hire (See Section 5 D
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 Loligo squid per trip, 10,000 lb of Illex squid per trip, or 600 lb of butterfish per trip
3
(unless the butterfish fishery closes prior to Oct 1 and then a 250 lb limit would be in effect
for the remainder of the year). This category includes all gear types.
Atlantic Mackerel: May commercially fish for Atlantic mackerel in the EEZ. This category
4
includes all gear types.
Note: Atlantic mackerel at-sea processing vessels must apply for a permit as a
dealer/processor.

™ Incidental Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Squid Trawl
Limited Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories.
Refer to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Regulations.
Incidental Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Squid Trawl Permit: Allowed only for
1
vessels issued a valid Illex Squid Moratorium permit. Authorizes the limited retention of
incidentally-caught swordfish. This category only includes trawl gear.

™ Spiny Dogfish
Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. 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.

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™ Atlantic Bluefish
Open Access Permit Categories: 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.
Charter/Party: May fish for or possess Atlantic bluefish from the EEZ while carrying
2 passengers for hire (See Section 5D for additional information). This category includes all
gear types.

™ Atlantic Herring
Limited Access Permit Categories: These permits may only be issued to qualified vessels or to
approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions apply to specific categories. Refer to
Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
All Areas: Authorizes the harvest of herring in any management area, without being subject to
A* possession limits during the time when the total allowable catch (TAC) in the defined
management area has not been reached. This category includes all gear types.
Areas 2/3: Authorizes the harvest of herring only in Areas 2 or 3, without being subject to
B* possession limits during the time when the TAC in the defined management area has not been
reached. This category includes all gear types.
Incidental Catch: Authorizes the harvest of up to 55,000 lb herring in any management area
C* during the time when the TAC in the defined management area has not been met, with a limit of
one landing per calendar day. This category includes all gear types.
* All vessels applying for and issued a limited access herring permit, with the exception of
fixed gear (weirs and stop seines) fishermen, must install and maintain an operable VMS
unit, and comply with all VMS notification and reporting requirements. Such vessels may
power down the VMS unit when in port, but must re-power the VMS unit and enter an
appropriate trip designation prior to leaving port.
Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to
Northeast Fisheries Regulations.
Open Access: Authorizes the harvest of up to 6,600 lb of herring in any management area
D during the time when the TAC in these management areas has not been met, with a limit of one
landing per calendar day. This category includes all gear types.

™ Tilefish
Open Access Permit Categories: Effective November 1, 2009, a vessel must also fish under the
authorization of an Individual Fishing Quota Allocation permit to possess more than the incidental trip
limit of 300 lb of tilefish. Further restrictions may apply to these categories. Refer to Northeast
Fisheries Regulations.
Open Access Commercial/Incidental: May possess or land tilefish in or from the EEZ, north of
the VA/NC border, up to 300 lb per trip. In order for any vessel to possess more than 300 lb of
1
tilefish per trip, the vessel must also fish under the authorization of an IFQ Allocation permit. This
category includes all gear types.
Open Access Charter/Party: May fish for or possess tilefish in the EEZ, north of the VA/NC
2
border, while carrying passengers for hire. This category includes all gear types.

•

See page 11 for a list of NE Fisheries gear types and their codes.

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™ Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab
Limited Access Permit Categories: 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.
Vessels in this category are subject to a baseline trip limit of 75,000 lb. This category is limited
B
to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only.
Vessels in this category demonstrated a qualifying trip with landings greater than 75,000 lb and
C qualified for a trip limit equal to the larger trip, rounded to the nearest 5,000 lb. This category is
limited to pots and traps (gear code 800) gear only.
Open Access Permit Categories: 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.
May possess or land red crab in or from the EEZ up to 500 lb per trip. This category includes all
A
gear types.

™ American Lobster
Limited Access Permit Categories: 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 category, you will be subject to the most restrictive
management measures, including trap allocations, of all of the categories selected. A vessel owner has
45 days from the first effective date of his/her permit within a permit year to make a change to the
American Lobster permit category. Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to
Northeast Fisheries Regulations at 50 CFR 697.
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 while carrying passengers for hire.
2
This category includes all gear 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. Includes Area 2/3 overlap.
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. Must have a valid historic
allocation to elect this area. Includes Area 2/3 overlap.
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. Must have a valid historic
allocation to elect this area.
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. Must have a valid historic
allocation to elect this area.
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.

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™ 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 Categories: 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.
---

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

Public reporting burden for the collection of information on the initial vessel application is
estimated to average 45 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,
55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. 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 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 access; and (6) provide a pool of participants for data collection samples.
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. Owner name,
vessel characteristics, address, phone, and permit information will be released via NMFS
Fisheries website. All other data submitted will be handled as confidential material in
accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fishery
Statistics.
OMB# 0648-0202
Expires: 4/30/2013

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Summary of Control Dates for Northeast Fisheries
This fact sheet informs permit applicants that there may be future management action taken by the
New England Fishery Management Council, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, or the
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to establish eligibility criteria for determining future
fishing access to the fisheries identified below. In each of these cases, the Council or Commission
with management authority for the fishery requested the National Marine Fisheries Service to publish
a date, after which vessels may not be eligible to participate in the fishery. This date is known as a
control date. This fact sheet informs you that these control dates may potentially be used to
determine future participation in the fishery.
THIS INFORMATION IS ADVISORY ONLY. It is intended to inform you only that these control dates
have been established and may potentially be used to determine future participation in the fishery. It
also provides you with notice that you may wish to locate and preserve records to substantiate and
verify fishery participation, for use in the event a limited access program is established in the future.
Establishing a control date does not commit the Councils, Commission, or the National Marine
Fisheries Service to develop any particular management system or criteria for participation in these
fisheries. The Councils or Commission may choose a different control date, or may choose to
establish a management program that does not make use of such a date.
For further information, please contact the appropriate fishery management council or commission:
New England Fishery Management Council (NEFMC)
On the web: www.nefmc.org
Telephone: 978-465-0492
Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASFMC)
On the web: www.asmfc.org
Telephone: 703-842-0740

Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC)
On the web: www.mafmc.org
Telephone: 302-674-2331

Summary revised January 2011

Species

Control
Date

Council

Ocean pout

9-9-96

NEFMC

No action currently underway.

Bluefish

5-29-97

MAFMC

No action currently underway.

Spiny Dogfish

5-18-98

MAFMC lead
(joint plan with
NEFMC)

Amendment 3 is under development and may
establish limited access and/or recreational
management measures.

Capacity Control Scallop
Multispecies, Monkfish DAS

9-10-99

NEFMC

No action currently underway.

Black Sea Bass

6-5-01

MAFMC

Atlantic Mackerel

7-5-02

MAFMC

Hagfish

8-28-02

NEFMC

Current status of management action

Would have established different classes of permits
for the fishery; considered in Amendment 13 but
not adopted by Council.
Amendment 11 to the Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish
FMP has been submitted by the Mid Atlantic Fishery
Management Council and, if approved,would
establish limited access mackerel fishery.
No action currently underway.
Amendment 18 to the Northeast Multispecies FMP is
under development and may establish some form of
limited access for the whiting (small-mesh
multispecies) fishery.
Amendment 14 to the Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish
FMP is under development and may establish a
catch share program.

Whiting/red hake/offshore
hake

3-25-03

NEFMC

Loligo & Illex squid

5-20-03

MAFMC

Multispecies Charter/Party

3-30-06

NEFMC

No action currently underway.

American Lobster

9-1-99
1-2-09

ASMFC

Management action is currently under development
and may establish some form of limited access to
fish with traps in Lobster Management Areas 1, 2,
and the Outer Cape and potentially allow qualified
permit holders to transfer traps in Area 2,3, and
Outer Cape.

Skates

7-30-09

NEFMC

No action currently underway.