Permit Requirements - Dealer Initial Permit and Renewal & E-mail Collection

United States Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
55 Great Republic Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930

Phone: (978) 282-8438
October 31, 2018

Initial Dealer Permit Information
Dear Federal Greater Atlantic Region Seafood Dealer:
Why are we writing to you?
You requested a Federal Greater Atlantic Seafood Dealer initial permit application. You will need
to complete the enclosed application and ownership form, include the required documentation,
and return it to the Greater Atlantic Permit Office.
This package includes a(n):
• Initial permit application
• Owner form
• Application instructions
• Application checklist
• Port Office contact list
Application requirements
You must submit a complete and accurate application. Failure to meet all of the requirements of
the application will delay the issuance of your permit(s).
Reporting Requirements
When your permit is issued, you must submit trip-level reports of all lobster, shellfish, and fish
purchased or received. Go to: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/dealer_er/ for information on
reporting requirements. For questions on the Federal dealer reporting requirements, contact
your area Port Agent (list enclosed).
Highly Migratory Species
If you purchase highly migratory species (HMS), specifically Atlantic bigeye, albacore, yellowfin
and skipjack (BAYS) tunas, Atlantic sharks and/or Atlantic swordfish, and hold another federal
Greater Atlantic Region seafood dealer permit, you must report HMS electronically as well.
Beginning January 1, 2013, dealers with a permit for only Atlantic tunas were required to
electronically report their purchases of BAYS tunas and other HMS. Atlantic tuna dealers who
purchase or receive domestic Atlantic Bluefin tuna have separate reporting requirements. Call
(978) 281-9140 if you have questions about Bluefin tuna reporting, and (301) 427-8590 for
questions about reporting for other HMS.
Dealers that trade bluefin tuna, swordfish, southern bluefin tuna, or frozen bigeye tuna
internationally are required to obtain a Highly Migratory Species International Trade Permit.
Information on this permit can be found at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/ITP/index.htm
or by calling (727) 824-5326 and pressing 3.

Do I need a dealer permit?
You need to have a Greater Atlantic dealer permit for each managed species that you purchase
from a vessel that is required to have a Greater Atlantic Region vessel permit. Additionally, you
must have that permit in your possession. Therefore, you need a Greater Atlantic Region dealer
permit if:
•

You purchase any of the fish or shellfish listed below that are harvested from
federal waters (EEZ) or;

•

You purchase Atlantic Tunas harvested from Federal or State waters or;

•

You purchase these fish or shellfish from a vessel issued a Federal Greater Atlantic
Region vessel permit.

List of managed species that require a Greater Atlantic Federal Dealer Permit

American lobster
Atlantic bluefish
Atlantic deep-sea red crab
Atlantic hagfish
Atlantic herring
Atlantic mackerel
Atlantic sea scallop
Atlantic tunas Atlantic bluefin tuna
Albacore tuna
Bigeye tuna
Skipjack tuna
Yellowfin tuna
Black sea bass
Butterfish
Jonah Crab
Monkfish
Northeast Multispecies American plaice (dab)

Northeast Multispecies continued Atlantic Cod
Atlantic halibut
Atlantic Wolffish (PROHIBITED)*
Haddock
Offshore hake
Ocean Pout (PROHIBITED)*
Pollock
Redfish (ocean perch)
Red hake (ling)
Silver hake (whiting)
White hake
Windowpane flounder (PROHIBITED)*
Winter flounder (blackback)
Witch flounder (grey sole)
Yellowtail flounder
Northeast Skate complex
Barndoor skate
Clearnose skate

Northeast Skate continued Little skate
Rosette skate
Smooth skate
Thorny skate (PROHIBITED)*
Winter skate
Squids Illex squid
Longfin squid
Ocean quahog
Scup
Spiny dogfish
Summer flounder
Surfclam
Tilefish
Golden
Blueline

* Vessels and dealers cannot currently harvest or possess these species from Federal waters.
If you have any questions, please contact the Greater Atlantic Permit Office at 978-282-8438.
Sincerely,

Ted Hawes
Section Chief
Permits and Limited Access Programs
OMB# 0648-0202 - Expiration Date: 10/31/2022

National Marine Fisheries Service

Greater Atlantic Regional Office

Application Instructions
Federal Fisheries Dealer Permit
Mail completed application packages to: NOAA Fisheries Service (NMFS), Greater Atlantic Region
Permit Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Note: There is a 30-day
processing period for all application packages. This 30-day processing period begins when a
correct and complete application package has been received by the Greater Atlantic Region
Permit Office and all required reports have been submitted and accepted by NMFS. Failure to
provide the required information will delay processing of your dealer permit.
For further information, call the Greater Atlantic Permit Office at (978) 282-8438



Section 1 - Dealer Information
If you already have a NE dealer permit, enclosed is a pre-printed application, which is partially
completed for you.
If you are applying for an Atlantic Mackerel or Atlantic Herring at Sea Processor permit, you must
enter a vessel name and hull number where indicated and include a copy of the vessel’s current
Coast Guard Documentation or State Registration.
Before submitting your application, review the dealer information placed in Section 1 to ensure it
is correct. Make any corrections on the lines provided.

 Section 1A - Additional Dealer Information
If your company or business purchases or receives regulated species at more than one location,
each address must be listed on the application. Space is available on the back of the dealer
permit application form for the required listing of additional addresses. You do not need a
separate dealer number for the additional locations as long as the businesses at these locations
are all the same business entity.

 Section 2 - Selected Fisheries
If not already marked, place an ‘X’ next to each of the fisheries for which you are requesting a
Federal Fisheries Dealer Permit.

To add a fishery not currently held, mark an “X” next to the permit on the application.
To cancel a fishery which you currently hold, write “cancel” next to each permit you wish
to cancel.
 Section 3 – Applicant’s Signature
Before mailing, carefully review the application form for accuracy and completeness. Sign and date
the application in Section 3 and return it to the address listed above.

Please read the important information on the reverse
before mailing your application

Additional Information for Dealers Submitting an Annual Renewal Application
All dealers, whether operating as a corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship, must submit
the enclosed Owner Form with the annual renewal application. The Owner Form must list the full
name of every individual who has an ownership interest in a corporation, partnership, or sole
proprietorship. Failure to include a completed Owner Form with your Initial application may delay
permit issuance.

A note on Dealer Reporting
All Federally permitted Greater Atlantic Seafood Dealers must submit weekly trip-level reports
required under either CFR § 648.7, § 697.6 and § 635.5 Failure to do so will bar the future issuance
of any Greater Atlantic dealer permit. If you have any questions concerning your compliance with
the reporting regulations for Greater Atlantic managed species, please contact your local NMFS Port
Agent (list enclosed). Questions concerning reporting for bluefin tuna [CFR § 635.5], should be
directed to the Highly Migratory Species Office at (978) 281-9140.
The Analysis and Program Support Division may refer dealers to the NOAA Fisheries Service Office of
Law Enforcement for:
•

Failure to submit all reports

•

Submitting incomplete or inaccurate reports

•

Failure to report in a timely fashion

Activities that do not comply with the provisions of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and
Management Act may subject the violator to fines and/or permit sanctions.

OMB# 0648-0202 Expiration Date: 10/31/2022