Application for Federal Fisheries Permit

Revised: 06/25/13 OMB Control No. 0648-0206

Expiration Date: 12/31/2014

APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FISHERIES PERMIT (FFP)	United States Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) , Alaska Region Restricted Access Management (RAM) P.O. Box 21668 Juneau, Alaska 99802-1668 T elephone: (800) 304-4846 toll free or (907) 586-7202 Juneau FAX: (907) 586-7354
IMPORTANT NOTICES ♦ Only persons who are U.S. Citizens are authorized to receive or hold a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP). ♦ As an FFP holder fishing in State waters, you are responsible to know whether your catch is deducted from a Federal Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or from the State Guideline Harvest Level (GHL) and to comply with Federal fishery requirements when your groundfish catch will be deducted from the Federal TAC. For example, if you fish for groundfish from State waters adjacent to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) or Gulf of Alaska (GOA) during the Federal fishing season when directed fishing is closed to the groundfish species, your gear, or operation type under Federal regulations and your catch of groundfish is deducted from a Federal groundfish TAC, you may be in violation of a Federal groundfish closure. (See instructions for additional information) ♦ All applicants who plan to participate in directed fisheries for Pacific cod, pollock, and/or Atka mackerel with any gear type other than jig gear must also complete Block D. ♦ If ownership in Block A has changed or if this is a permit application for a vessel to which an FFP has never been issued, documentation of vessel ownership must be provided with this application. To demonstrate vessel ownership you must provide: ● for US Coast Guard (USCG) Documented Vessels, a copy of the USCG Abstract of Title or Certificate of Documentation. ● for undocumented vessels, a copy of the State of Alaska vessel license or registration.
TYPE OF FFP REGISTRATION
Indicate the type of request. [ ] New FFP [ ] Renew FFP [ ] Amend FFP [ ] Surrender FFP If this application is submitted to renew, amend, or surrender an existing FFP, please provide your current FFP number __________________ If you are surrendering your permit, the original permit must be returned with this application. If you are renewing, amending, or surrendering your permit, refer to “General Information” that specifies which sections of the application must be completed in addition to the amendments being made.

BLOCK A -- OWNER INFORMATION
1. Owner Name:		2. NMFS Person ID:
3. Business Mailing Address: [ ] Permanent [ ] Temporary		4. Managing Company Name (if any):
5. Business Telephone No.:	6. Business Fax No.:	7. Business E-Mail Address (if available):

BLOCK B -- VESSEL INFORMATION
1. Vessel Name:	2. Home Port (city and state):	3. ADF&G Processor Code:
4. Is this vessel a vessel of the United States? [ ] YES [ ] NO	5. USCG Documentation No.	6. ADF&G Vessel Registration No.
7. Length Overall (LOA) in feet: ___________________	8. Gross Tonnage: ___________________	9. Shaft Horsepower: ___________________
Registered Length in feet: ___________________	Net Tonnage: ___________________

BLOCK C -- PERMIT INFORMATION

1. AREA OF OPERATION Check one or both areas of operation, as appropriate.

[ ] Gulf of Alaska (GOA) [ ] Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI)

2. TYPE OF VESSEL OPERATION Indicate below the type(s) of vessel operation you request in the Federal groundfish fishery. An FFP may be issued for any combination of catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or tender vessel. In addition, an FFP may also be issued for a support vessel.

Check one or any combination of the following operation types that apply:

[ ] Catcher Vessel [ ] Catcher/processor [ ] Mothership [ ] Tender Vessel (buying station)

A vessel permitted as a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or tender vessel may conduct all operations authorized for a support vessel.

Or check: [ ] Support Vessel

A vessel permitted as a support vessel may not conduct activities as a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or tender vessel.

3. GEAR TYPES (catcher vessels and catcher/processors only)

Check only the gear types used for groundfish fishing:

[ ] Trawl [ ] Hook-and-line [ ] Pots [ ] Jig [ ] Troll

Harvesting vessels (catcher and catcher/processor vessels) must complete Block D if you plan to participate in the directed fisheries for Pacific cod, pollock and/or Atka mackerel with any gear other than jig gear.

4. GOA INSHORE PROCESSING ENDORSEMENT (Catcher/processors under 125 ft LOA only)

Catcher/processors under 125 ft LOA that wish to process GOA inshore pollock or GOA inshore Pacific cod must apply for a GOA inshore processing endorsement by checking the box below. A catcher/processor with a GOA inshore processing endorsement is prohibited from processing more than 126 mt of GOA pollock and GOA Pacific cod, in the aggregate, during any reporting week. Once issued, a GOA inshore processing endorsement cannot be rescinded for the duration of a fishing year.

[ ] GOA Inshore Processing Endorsement

See application instructions for further explanation.

BLOCK D -- SPECIES ENDORSEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS
♦ Indicate below whether you plan to participate in any of the following directed fisheries with gear other than jig gear: (1) Pacific cod; (2) pollock; and (3) BSAI Atka mackerel; ♦ Your selections will remain valid until you submit a new FFP application removing those endorsements by checking “Remove Endorsement(s)” boxes below. ♦ Vessels permitted in these fisheries must have a vessel monitoring system (VMS) operable at any time the directed fishery is open. ♦ See the application instructions for more information on the VMS requirements
PACIFIC COD	POLLOCK		BSAI ATKA MACKEREL
GEAR TYPE [ ] Trawl [ ] Hook-and-Line [ ] Pot [ ] Remove Endorsement(s)		GEAR TYPE [ ] Trawl [ ] Hook-and-Line [ ] Pot [ ] Remove Endorsement(s)		GEAR TYPE [ ] Trawl [ ] Hook-and-Line [ ] Pot [ ] Remove Endorsement(s)

BLOCK E -- APPLICANT SIGNATURE
Under penalties of perjury, I hereby declare that I, the undersigned, completed this application, and the information contained herein is true, correct, and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.
Applicant Name (please print or type)	Signature	Date

_______________________________________________________________________________________

PUBLIC REPORTING BURDEN STATEMENT

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 21 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing the instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, Attn: Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries Division, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Before completing this form please note the following: 1) The NMFS may not conduct or sponsor this information request, and you are not required to respond to this information request, unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number; 2) This information is mandatory and is required to manage commercial fishing effort in the GOA and BSAI under

50 CFR 679 and under 402(a) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.); 3) Responses to this information request are confidential under section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006. It is also confidential under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

INSTRUCTIONS

APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FISHERIES PERMIT (FFP)

A Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) is required for all vessels of the United States used to fish for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) or Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) or engaged in any fishery that requires retention of groundfish. This includes catcher vessels fishing for groundfish, catcher/processors fishing for and processing groundfish, motherships processing groundfish, tender vessels (buying stations) tendering groundfish, and support vessels assisting other groundfish vessels (§ 679.4).

Groundfish includes but may not be limited to: pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, Atka mackerel, rockfish, sharks, skates, sculpins, octopuses, squids, and any species of flatfish except Pacific halibut (§ 679.2)

Note: As an FFP holder fishing in State waters, you are responsible to know whether your catch is deducted from a Federal Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or from the State Guideline Harvest Level (GHL) and to comply with Federal fishery requirements when your groundfish catch will be deducted from the Federal TAC.

For example, if you fish for groundfish from State waters adjacent to the BSAI or GOA during the federal fishing season when directed fishing is closed to the groundfish species, your gear, or operation type under Federal regulations and your catch of groundfish is deducted from a Federal groundfish TAC, you may be in violation of a Federal groundfish closure. See instructions for additional information.

NMFS uses observer data, eLandings, vessel monitoring system (VMS), and other data to determine location and time of catch from each haul or delivery. Data on location and time of catch are combined with information on each groundfish management program to determine what groundfish catch is deducted from the applicable allocation for each groundfish species.

For example, the observer and eLandings data that NMFS receives identifies the State statistical area where the catch occurred, and the date when fishing occurred. These data are linked to the State and Federally-managed fisheries accounts to deduct the appropriate amounts of groundfish.

Generally, any groundfish caught in State waters adjacent to the BSAI or GOA during a Federal fishing season is deducted from the Federal TAC unless it was caught while participating in the State GHL groundfish fishery.

For information on openings and closures of Federally-managed groundfish fisheries contact NMFS, Alaska Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, In-Season Management at (907) 586-7228.

Processing or to process means the preparation of, or to prepare, fish or crab to render it suitable for human consumption, industrial uses, or long-term storage, including but not limited to cooking, canning, smoking, salting, drying, freezing, or rendering into meal or oil, but does not mean icing, bleeding, heading, or gutting

(see 50 CFR 679.2)

If you are amending, renewing, or surrendering your FFP, enter the FFP number where indicated and fill out Block A, the information you are changing, and sign and date the application in Block E.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Note: It is important that all blocks are completed and all necessary documents are attached. Failure to answer any of the questions, provide attachments, or to sign the application could result in delays in the processing of your application.

♦ Complete a separate application for each vessel. Application forms and instructions are also available on the NMFS, Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.

♦ ATTACH documentation of vessel ownership if ownership listed in Block A has changed or if this is a permit application for a vessel for which an FFP has never been issued. To demonstrate vessel ownership you must provide:

○ For U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Documented Vessels, a copy of the USCG Abstract of Title or Certificate of Documentation

○ For undocumented vessels, a copy of the State of Alaska vessel license or registration.

♦ Type or print legibly in ink.

♦ Retain a copy of completed application for your records.

Submit the completed application:

♦ by mail to: NMFS, Alaska Region

Restricted Access Management (RAM)

P.O. Box 21668

Juneau, AK 99802

♦ by fax to: RAM at (907) 586-7354

♦ by hand delivery to: Federal Building

NMFS Alaska Region (RAM)

709 W. 9th Street, Suite 713

Juneau, AK 99801

Please allow at least ten working days for your application to be processed. Do not wait until right before an opening to apply for your permit, as you may not receive it on time.

eLandings, eLogbooks, and Logbooks

Catcher/processors and motherships that are issued an FFP under 50 CFR part 679.4(b) must daily record and report groundfish using a combination of daily cumulative production logbook (DCPL) and eLandings (or other NMFS approved software) or a combination of eLogbook and eLandings. Two types of catcher/processor DCPL are available: one if using trawl gear and one if using longline or pot gear. Two types of catcher/processor eLogbook are available: catcher/processor trawl gear and catcher/processor longline or pot gear. For more information on eLandings and eLogbooks, see http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/elandings/faq.htm#ecr.

All catcher vessels that are issued an FFP under 50 CFR part 679.4(b) must use a daily fishing logbook (DFL) to daily record and report groundfish. Two types of catcher vessel logbook are available: one if using trawl gear and one is using longline or pot gear.

The following table shows the method of groundfish reporting for each of the groundfish operation types according to regulations at §§ 679.4, 679.5, and 679.100.

Operation Type Versus Method of Reporting

Operation Type	DFL	DCPL & eLandings	eLogbook & eLandings
CP trawl, harvesting AFA or CDQ pollock			X
CP trawl, non-AFA		X
CP longline named on LLP with Pacific cod hook-and-line endorsement for the Bering Sea, Aleutian Islands, or both the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands			X
CP longline or pot, other		X
Mothership		X
Catcher vessel, any gear	X

You may request that a DCPL or DFL be sent to you separately from the FFP.

♦ by website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/comment/lborderform.aspx

♦ by telephone at 907-586-7228, or

♦ by fax at 907-586-7465.

Items will be sent to you by first class mail, unless you provide alternate instructions and include a prepaid mailer with appropriate postage or a corporate account number for express delivery.

Express Mail. If you would like to have your logbook sent to you by U.S. Postal Express Mail, determine from the table below the weight and dimensions of the appropriate documents. Send NMFS an express mail envelope with the correct amount of postage prepaid or send express mail stamps UNATTACHED to an envelope.

NOTE: If the express mail envelope you send is too small or the postage attached is less than the amount required, your logbook will be sent to you by regular U.S. mail.

Other Express Carriers. If you would like to have your logbook sent to you by a private express carrier, e.g., Federal Express, UPS, DHL, etc., submit your account number and name of carrier or a prepaid envelope with the FFP application.

Logbook Information

_____________________________________________________________________________

Dimensions Weight

(inches) (lb, oz)

Catcher vessel, trawl gear DFL 11 x 12 3.4

Catcher vessel, longline and pot gear DFL 12 x 17 4.0

Catcher/processor, trawl gear DCPL 11 x 12 3.0

Catcher/processor, longline and pot gear DCPL 12 x 17 3.6

Mothership DCPL 11 x 12 3.0

_________________________________________________________________________________

Additional information is available from Restricted Access Management (RAM), as follows:

Website: http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov

Telephone (toll free): 800-304-4846 (press “2”)

Telephone (in Juneau): 907-586-7202 (press “2”)

E-Mail: [email protected]

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION

TYPE OF FFP REGISTRATION

Indicate the type of request: New FFP, Renewed FFP, Amended FFP, or Surrendered FFP. If this application is submitted to renew, amend, or surrender an existing FFP, please provide your current FFP number.

NOTE: If you are surrendering your permit, complete Block A and Block B, sign the application in Block E, and submit to NMFS.

BLOCK A -- OWNER INFORMATION

1. Name. Enter the full name(s) of the owner(s) of the vessel listed in Block B.

NOTE: If there is more than one owner, list the principal owner first. The permit will be issued to the first owner listed, with et al. notation. The permit MUST be issued to the owner of the vessel, not to operators or lessees.

2. NMFS Person ID.

3. Permanent Business Mailing Address. Indicate whether address is permanent or temporary. Enter your complete permanent business mailing address, including street or P.O. Box, city, state, and zip code. Your permit will be sent to this address, unless otherwise notified.

Temporary Business Mailing Address. Address you want the permit sent if somewhere other than to the permanent address. Include street or P.O. Box number, city, state, and zip code.

4. Managing Company. Enter the name of the company, other than the owner, that manages the operations of the vessel (if any).

5-7. Business Telephone No., Fax No., and e-mail Address. Enter the business telephone number and business fax number including area code,, and business e-mail address (if available) that are used by the vessel owner. It is very important that you provide a number where we can contact you, or where we can leave messages for you. If questions arise concerning your application, and we are unable to contact you, issuance of your permit will be delayed.

BLOCK B -- VESSEL INFORMATION

1. Enter the complete vessel name as displayed in the official documentation.

2. Enter the home port (city and state) as recorded in official documentation.

3. Enter State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Processor Code.

4. Answer YES or NO if this vessel is a vessel of the United States.

5. Enter U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) documentation number (example: 566722).

6. Enter the 5-digit ADF&G vessel registration number (example: 51233).

7. Enter the vessel's length overall (LOA) in feet and registered length in feet.

The LOA of a vessel means the centerline longitudinal distance, rounded to the nearest foot,

measured between:

♦ the outside foremost part of the vessel visible above the waterline, including bulwarks, but excluding bowsprits and similar fittings or attachments, and

♦ the outside aftermost part of the vessel visible above the waterline including bulwarks, but excluding rudders, outboard motor brackets, and similar fittings or attachments.

8. Enter registered gross tonnage (U.S. tons) and net tonnage (U.S. tons) as stated in the official documentation.

9. Enter the shaft horsepower.

BLOCK C -- PERMIT INFORMATION

1. Area of operation

Check one or both areas of operation (GOA or BSAI) to indicate the areas of operation for which

you are requesting.

2. Vessel Operation Categories

A vessel permitted as a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or tender vessel may conduct all operations authorized for a support vessel. A vessel permitted as a support vessel may not conduct activities as a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or tender vessel.

Indicate one or a combination of the vessel operation categories in the groundfish fisheries for which you are requesting.

Catcher Vessel - A vessel that is used for catching fish and that does not process fish on board.

Catcher/Processor - A vessel that is used for catching fish and processing that fish on board.

Mothership - A vessel that receives and processes groundfish from other vessels.

Tender Vessel (buying station) - A vessel that is used to transport unprocessed fish or shellfish received from another vessel to an associated processor.

Or check:

Support Vessel - Any vessel that is used in support of other vessels regulated under 50 CFR 679, including, but not limited to, supplying a fishing vessel with water, fuel, provisions, fishing equipment, fish processing equipment or other supplies, or transporting processed fish. The term “support vessel” does not include processor vessels or tender vessels.

3. Gear Type

If the FFP request is for a catcher vessel or catcher/processor, indicate the gear type(s) used for groundfish operations.

4. GOA Inshore Processing Endorsement

An operator of a catcher/processor under 125 ft LOA that wishes to process GOA inshore pollock or GOA inshore Pacific cod must apply for a GOA inshore processing endorsement by checking No. 4 of Block C on the application.

NOTE: A catcher/processor with a GOA inshore processing endorsement is prohibited from processing more than 126 mt of GOA pollock and GOA Pacific cod, in the aggregate, during any reporting week.

Once issued, a GOA inshore processing endorsement cannot be rescinded for the duration of a fishing year. It may be changed for the next fishing year by submitting an application for a permit amendment prior to the beginning of that fishing year.

For more information on the inshore/offshore regulations, contact Sustainable Fisheries Division toll free

at (800) 304-4846 (select option #3) or (907) 586-7228.

BLOCK D -- PACIFIC COD, POLLOCK, ATKA MACKEREL FISHERIES

If you plan to participate in the directed fisheries for Pacific cod, pollock, and/or Atka mackerel with any gear

other than jig gear, your FFP must be endorsed for these species in the management area(s) in which you plan to participate.

Vessels participating in these directed fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska are required to have on board and use a Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) while the directed fisheries are open, regardless of where the vessel is fishing at the time (including Alaska State waters) or what the vessel is targeting.

BLOCK E -- APPLICANT SIGNATURE

The owner or authorized representative must print name, sign, and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. The application will be considered incomplete without this signature. If authorized representative, attach authorization.

Application for Federal Fisheries Permit

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