Initial/Renewal Application for a Vessel Operator Permit

National Marine Fisheries Service

Greater Atlantic Region/Permit Office

978-282-8438 or 8437

Initial/Renewal* Application for a Vessel Operator Permit

Operator cards are required for any operator of a charter/party boat and or a commercial vessel
(including carrier and processor vessels) issued a vessel permit from the Greater Atlantic Region and
possessing or fishing for Atlantic Sea Scallops, Northeast Multispecies, Spiny Dogfish, Monkfish, American
Lobster, Atlantic Herring, Atlantic Surfclam, Ocean Quahog, Maine Mahogany Quahog, Atlantic Mackerel,
Loligo Squid, Illex Squid, Butterfish, Scup, Black Sea Bass, Tilefish, Skates, Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab,
Atlantic Bluefish, in or from the EEZ and Mid-Atlantic Forage Species or Atlantic Chub Mackerel within the
EEZ from New York through North Carolina.
FIRST TIME APPLICANTS: fill in Section 1 below, sign and date the back of this application and return it to us with
one (1) passport or ID sized photo that is current and in color (see back). Please make sure your photo is taken
without sunglasses on, that it is clear and not too dark.

IF USING THIS APPLICATION AS A *RENEWAL: Fill in Section 1 below, if available, write your 8digit number on the line below, sign and date the back of this application, and return it to us (mailing
address below) with one (1) passport or ID sized photo that is current and in color (see back).
Your vessel operator number (if available): ___

______________

*Preprinted renewal applications are automatically mailed to the address on file approximately 35 days prior to the
expiration date, but you may use this application to renew your permit. If you mail this application in earlier than
30 days prior to your expiration date it will not be processed until 30 days prior to the expiration date.

Please complete all sections of this application.

Incomplete applications will be processed and will be returned.

Submission of all application information is required.

Section 1
Last Name

First Name

MI_

SUFFIX*_

Mailing Address
City / ST / Zip Code
Phone Number_
Eye Color
Weight (lbs)_

/_
-_

-_

/_

Date of Birth

/

/

(MO/DAY/YR)

Hair Color
Height (ft/in)_

/

__

* Jr, Sr, III, IV, etc.

Please sign and date this application in Section 2 on the back.

OMB# 0648-0202

Form Approval Expires 08/31/2019

Please enclose ONE color passport or I.D. sized photo of yourself,
which is recent and in color. Make sure your picture is taken
without sunglasses on, that it is clear and not too dark/light.
*PLACE PHOTO IN FOLDED APPLICATION
SAMPLE

Recommended
Picture Size

1½“high

1 ¼ inches wide
X
1 ½ inches high

1 ¼ “wide
(* PLEASE DO NOT ATTACH IT TO THE APPLICATION WITH TAPE, GLUE OR STAPLES)

Section 2
I affirm that all information I have given on this application is true and correct.
Making a false statement on this application is punishable by law [18 USC
1001]. I understand that violations of Federal fisheries laws and regulations
may subject me to criminal and civil penalties including fine and/or revocation of
license. As a condition of this operator's permit, I agree that if this permit is
suspended or revoked pursuant to 15 CFR part 904, I will not be on board a
Federally permitted fishing vessel in any capacity while the vessel is at sea or
engaged in offloading.
Signature of Applicant:

Date:

Return completed applications to:
NMFS Permit Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930-2276
Telephone: (978) 282-8438 or 8437
Permit holder name, address, phone number, and the status of the holder's permit 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.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 1 hour 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, 55 Great Republic Drive,
Gloucester, MA 01930-2276. The purpose and use of these permits are to (1) register industry
participants and fishing vessels, (2) exercise influence over compliance, (3) provide a mailing list
for the dissemination of important information to the industry, (4) register participants to be
considered for limited entry, and (5) provide a universe for data collection samples. Both the
MSFCMA and Executive Orders 12866 et al, require the determination of this information.
Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a
currently valid OMB Control Number.
OMB# 0648-0202

Form Approval Expires 08/31/2019