Federal Permit Application for Vessels Fishing in the EE

IMPORTANT UPDATES AND INFORMATION – PLEASE READ!
 As of September 1, 2021, you should now submit applications for new permits, transfers and
renewals on line. You can submit and view your application, resolve any deficiencies, and even
download for printing your open access permits. It is fast and easy, and in many cases you can
submit your required information, documents, and application fees in minutes.
 PLEASE NOTE: Any user name or account created BEFORE 09/01/2021 is no longer valid.
 Only accounts created on or after 09/01/2021 will be allowed access to the new SERO On-Line
Permitting System.
 Beginning 02/01/2022 – the permits office NO LONGER accepts checks or money orders as
payment for application fees. You are REQUIRED to make your payments through your on line
account.
 Beginning 02/01/2022 – The permits office no longer has an operational Fax Machine or Fax Line
and will not be accepting supporting documents by fax. Supporting documents will only be accepted
through your on line account or via mail, attention to your on-line application ID number.
 To Create a new account or sign into your existing account that was created after 09/01/2021, go to:
go.usa.gov/xF7Cu
 For transfers, you are still REQUIRED to mail the actual permit(s) being transferred to our office,
complete with all required signatures as described on the reverse of the permit. You should submit
your request for transfer through your on-line application and mail the permit(s) to our office,
attention to the application ID number of your on-line application. Make a photocopy of the signed
permit(s) for your records. We highly recommend that you mail the original permits using a method
that can be tracked, then monitor the tracking number until delivered. The permit(s) must be mailed
to: National Marine Fisheries Service (F/SER14), 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
IF you choose to mail a paper application to our office, your application will be scanned and
converted to a digital version and processed as an on-line application. Please be aware, you are still
required to have an on-line account to complete your application payment. If you mail your
application, you may only make your payment through your on line account AFTER your paper
application is converted, processed and found to have no payment and a deficiency email has been
sent to you. If you mail a check or money order as payment - it will be returned to you.

Instructions for the Federal Permit Application for Vessels
Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)

Rev 12/072023

In addition to the instructions provided herein, applicants with specific questions are encouraged to contact the Permits
Office at (727) 824-5326 or toll free at (877) 376-4877 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET, or visit the SERO Permits
website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permits-and-forms.
Please consult the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations whose guidance for application requirements, permit eligibilities, and
related information will always prevail. NMFS will return incomplete or illegible applications.

General Instructions:

What Sections do I complete?
Complete all applicable sections of this application form. All application fields should be typed or printed in ink. Specifically,
 All applicants must fill out Section 1, and Section 2 and/or Section 3.
 If the vessel’s USCG documentation or state registration indicates the vessel is owned by one or
more individuals, fill out Section 4. If the vessel is jointly owned by more than one individual,
copy this page as need to provide information for all joint owners of the vessel.
 If the vessel’s USCG documentation or state registration indicates the vessel is owned by one or
more businesses, fill out Section 5. . If the vessel is jointly owned by more than one
business, copy this page as need to provide information for all joint owners of the vessel.
 If the vessel is leased and the permit(s) will be issued to the lessee(s), complete Section 6.
 If the vessel is owned by a business which is owned by another business, in addition to completing
Section 5, complete Section 7. In Section 7, provide information about all businesses that are parent
companies of businesses that own the vessel.
 If the vessel is leased by a business which is owned by another business, in addition to completing
Section 6, complete Section 7. In Section 7, provide information about all businesses that are parent
companies of businesses that lease the vessel.
 If the vessel is owned or leased by a business, in addition to completing Section 5 and/or 6,
complete Section 8. In Section 8, provide information about all individuals that are owners or officers
of businesses listed in Section 5, Section 6, and/or Section 7.
 Complete Section 9 if the any owners of the businesses listed in Section 5, Section 6, or Section 7 hold
an ownership percentage less than 1%. This is not common.
 Applicants of Historical Captain Endorsements for Gulf of Mexico Charter/Headboat permits, or
designated operator (income qualifier) for Commercial Spiny Lobster Permits, complete section
10
 Applicants requesting a Sea Bass Pot endorsement or Golden Crab permit fill out Section 11.
 All applicants must fill out Section 12, and Section 13.
An email address is required to complete the application. You may receive updates about your permit and application
status (when available). Additionally, if you check the Optional box at the bottom of the section, you may receive open
access permits by email for you to print on your own. See pages 3-6 for information about specific sections of this
application.

What is the Fee?

The application fee is $25 for one fishery and $10 for each additional fishery, as described in the table below.
This application fee is collected to cover the administrative cost of processing the application, and is nonrefundable.
For Gulf of Mexico Charter/Headboat permits only, there is an additional, non-refundable $10 fee for each decal. The fee
to replace one or more permits issued to a vessel is $18. NMFS will not refund money for denied permits. Payments
must be made through your on line SERO Permits account. DO NOT send payment to our office, it will be returned to
you.
Permits
1 = $25 2 = $35 3 = $45 4 = $55 5 = $65 6 = $75 7 = $85 8 = $95 9 = $105 10=$115 11=$125
Gulf of Mexico Charter/headboat
Decals1 = $10 2 = $20

Where do I send the application?
IF you choose to mail a paper application to our office, your application will be scanned and converted to a digital
version and processed as an on-line application. You may mail the complete application and all required
supporting documentation to:
National Marine Fisheries Service (F/SER14), 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Once your application is processed and permits are issued, all open access permits will be available through your
on line account to download and print. Limited Access permits will be mailed to you using the U.S. Postal Service,
Priority Mail. Please note using the prepaid overnight delivery option does not expedite permit processing; it only
expedites delivery of your completed permit package. DO NOT MAIL A PAYMENT - It will be returned to you.

What About Reporting Compliance?
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NMFS will not renew or transfer a permit until all reporting requirements for the permit being renewed or
transferred have been met (e.g., logbooks, the MRIP For-Hire telephone survey, etc.). To avoid delays,
applicants are encouraged to comply with all reporting requirements before submitting a permit application.
Send Coastal and Pelagic logbook report(s) to National Marine Fisheries Service, Research Management
Division, Logbook Program, P.O. Box 491500, Key Biscayne, FL 33149-9915. Please direct questions
concerning reporting Coastal and Pelagic reporting requirements to the Southeast Research Management
Division at (305) 361-4581. You can also check the status for these logbooks online at
https://grunt.sefsc.noaa.gov/vrsr/VesselReportingStatus.jsp.
Send Gulf of Mexico Shrimp Landing Reports and Gulf Shrimp Vessel & Gear Characterization forms to
Rebecca Smith, NMFS Galveston Laboratory, 4700 Avenue U, Galveston, TX 7755; also, Gulf Shrimp
applicants need to ensure compliance with the cELB program. See https://go.usa.gov/xp8P6 for details.
For information about all Gulf of Mexico Shrimp data collection programs contact Rebecca Smith at the
NMFS Galveston Laboratory (409)-766-3783.
Vessels selected for the For Hire headboat survey should contact Mr. Ken Brennan of the NMFS
Southeast Fisheries Science Center at (252) 728-8618 for information about required reports.

What supporting documentation do I need?
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Documentation or state registration: Include a copy of the vessel’s valid USCG Documentation or, if not
required to be USCG Documented include a copy of the vessel’s valid State Registration, with the
application.
Payment: .Payment must be made through your SERO On-Line Permits account. See “What is the Fee”
on page 1 of these instructions for more information. If requesting Floy tags for Golden Crab or Sea Bass
pots, Floy Tag will contact you directly for payment information upon processing of your application.
Lease Agreement: Include a copy of the current lease agreement if the vessel is leased, rented, or
leased-to-own. The lease must identify the vessel, the individual(s) or business(es) leasing the vessel,
and the vessel owners as listed on the vessel’s USCG Certificate of Documentation or, if not
documented, the State Registration. The lease agreement must include a lease start date, and lease
expiration date. The lease must run for a minimum of 7 months from the date your application is
received. The lease may extend for many years if the lessee and lessor anticipate a long-term
arrangement. Both the vessel owner(s) and the lessee(s) must sign and date the lease agreement.
Original Permits: When transferring limited entry permits from one vessel to another, or from one owner
or lessee to another owner or lessee, include the original permits being transferred. For transfers, you are
still REQUIRED to mail the actual permit(s) being transferred to our office, complete with all required
signatures as described on the reverse of the permit. You should submit your request for transfer through
your on-line application and mail the permit(s) to our office, attention to the application ID number of your
on- line application. Make a photocopy of the signed permit(s) for your records. We highly recommend that
you mail the original permits using a method that can be tracked, then monitor the tracking number until
delivered. The permit(s) must be mailed to: National Marine Fisheries Service (F/SER14), 263 13th
Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Except when transferring a permit to the same vessel owner(s) and lessee(s) (as applicable), the permit
holder listed on the face of the permit must sign the back of the permit as the seller. If the permit holder is
a business or organization, an officer or owner of the permit holder must sign the back of the permit as
the seller. The seller’s signature must be notarized.
When transferring a Gulf of Mexico Charter/headboat permit, even to the same vessel owner(s) /lesee(s),
the transferor must sign the back to affirm removal of the charter/headboat decal.
If the transfer is not for a Gulf of Mexico Charter/ headboat permit, and the vessel owner(s)/lessee(s) will
remain the same, the permit does not need to be signed.
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Workshop Certificate:
To renew a Shark or Swordfish Directed or Incidental permit, include a copy of a valid Protected Species
Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop Owner’s Certificate issued to the vessel owner.

 To transfer Shark or Swordfish Directed or Incidental permits, include a copy of either a valid Owner or Operator’s
Protected Species Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop Certificate issued to
the vessel owner.
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Florida Saltwater Products License: To obtain a lobster tailing permit, if the vessel will not obtain or already
possess a valid commercial spiny lobster permit, include a copy of a Florida Saltwater Products License with crawfish
endorsement issued to the vessel or to the applicant.
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Miscellaneous or uncommon documents: To transfer a Snapper Grouper Unlimited permit to an immediate family
member, documentation proving the familial relationship will be required. To transfer a permit pursuant to will/probate
of a deceased permit holder, copies of the will and court order will be required. For these sorts of unusual transfer
transactions, we recommend you contact the Permits Office toll free at (877) 376-4877 to discuss the details of your
particular situations.

A few words about transfers and renewals…
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Any change to the identity of the entities that own or lease the vessel, or to the vessel to which permits
are issued, means the permit cannot be renewed. If the permit is a limited entry permit, it may be
transferred to the new vessel or vessel owner(s) and lessee(s). If the permit is open access, a new
permit may be obtained.
Various restrictions apply to the renewal or transfer of limited entry permits and endorsements. Consult
the applicable US Code of Federal Regulations, available online at
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/southeast/about-us/fishing-southeast
A vessel owner with moratorium Gulf of Mexico Coastal Migratory Pelagic Charter/Headboat and/or a
Reef Fish Charter/Headboat permit(s) that transfers the permit(s) to another vessel owner or to another
vessel, must remove the Federal Charter/Headboat decal from the vessel.
With the exception of Sea Bass Pot endorsements and Golden Tilefish endorsements, NMFS cannot
transfer expired permits/endorsements to a new permit holder. For all other limited entry permits, an
applicant may transfer a permit only when the seller(s) signature is notarized BEFORE the expiration
date, and the applicant submits an application to transfer the permit before the permit terminates, which
is the date one year following the expiration date of the permit (or 6 months following the expiration date
of a Golden Crab permit) and as printed on the face of the permit. An applicant may transfer a Sea
Bass Pot endorsement or Golden Tilefish endorsements only when the seller(s) signature is notarized
and the application is submitted BEFORE the termination date of the endorsements.

APPLICATION SECTION 1 – VESSEL INFORMATION.
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Complete all portions of Section 1.
Enter the Official Number and the length of the vessel as they appear on the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate
of Documentation, or the State Registration certificate for a vessel without USCG documentation.
Provide the Hull Identification Number (HIN) if available. The HIN is a unique number assigned by the
boat builder. Most HINs are shown on the state registration or USCG documentation.
For Highly Migratory Species (HMS) applicants only:
An International Maritime Organization (IMO) number is required for all vessels longer than 20 meters
(65 feet 8 inches) applying for HMS commercial shark, swordfish or Atlantic Tuna longline permits.
If applying for a HMS commercial swordfish, shark, or Atlantic Tuna Longline permit without a vessel,
write “NO VESSEL” in the field for USCG Official Number.
Shark and Swordfish directed and incidental permit applicants must indicate whether the vessel fishes
with or carries on board longline and gillnet gear.
For For-Hire vessel applicants only:
Indicate if the vessel is an uninspected vessel authorized to use a “6-pack” license, or a USCG
inspected vessel, and if so, the passenger capacity of the vessel.

APPLICATION SECTIONS 2 AND 3 – Permits Requested.
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Indicate the fishery and transaction type of the permits requested. Open Access Permits are shown in
section 2, and may be requested as either NEW or as a RENEWAL. Limited Access permits are shown
in Section 3 and may be requested as either a RENEWAL or a TRANSFER. Indicate the permit number
in the space provided.
Commercial Spiny Lobster Income Qualification: NMFS requires an Income Qualification Affidavit
with each application for a Commercial Spiny Lobster permit, as proof of meeting permit income
qualification requirement of the Commercial Spiny Lobster fishery. Additional income qualification
documentation may be required upon request.
Additionally, Lobster Tailing applicants must either obtain a Commercial Spiny Lobster permit or provide
a copy of a valid Florida Saltwater Product License with a crawfish endorsement, issued to the vessel or
the applicant.

APPLICATION SECTION 4 -- Individuals that own the vessel.
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If the owner of the vessel as shown on the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation or the State
Registration or title of the vessel is an individual, provide information for all individuals listed. Complete
section 4a, including email address, for the individual that is the owner of the vessel. For a vessel jointly
owned by more than one individual, this individual will be the point of contact for all mail & email
concerning the application and permits. Fill out Section 4b if the vessel is jointly owned by another
individual. Copy the page as needed to list any additional vessel owners that are individuals.
For each owner, provide the information that is listed in each section (4a and 4b if needed.)
Indicate if the owner is a United States citizen or permanent resident alien. Note, this information will not
affect eligibility to obtain a permit.

APPLICATION SECTION 5-- Businesses that own the vessel.
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If the owner of the vessel as shown on the U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation or the State
Registration or title of the vessel is a business, provide information for all businesses listed. Complete
section 5a, including email address for the business that the owner of the vessel. For a vessel jointly
owned by more than one business, this business will be the point of contact for all mail & email
concerning the application and permits. Fill out Section 5b if the vessel is jointly owned by another
business. Copy the page as needed to list any additional vessel owners that are businesses.
NMFS will not issue permits to a business with an INACTIVE status with the applicable Secretary of State.
For each owner, provide the information that is listed in each section (5a and 5b as needed.)
Indicate if the business was established by the laws of the United States or any state of the United
States. Note, this information will not affect eligibility to obtain a permit.
For a brief definition of applicable business types, see our frequently asked questions at
https://go.usa.gov/xp8Px

APPLICATION SECTION 6 – LEASE Information If the vessel is leased by one or more individuals, fill out
section 6A. Copy this section as necessary to provide information about all individuals that lease the vessel.
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For each individual lessee, provide the information that is listed in section 6a.
Indicate if the lessee is a United States citizen or permanent resident alien. Note, this information will not affect
eligibility to obtain a permit.
If the vessel is jointly leased, provide the email address in section 6a (individual) or 6b (business) for the PRIMARY
lessee who will be the point of contact for all mail & email concerning the application and permits.
If the vessel is leased by one or more businesses, provide the information that is listed in section 6b. Copy this page
as necessary to provide information about all businesses that lease the vessel
Indicate if the business was established by the laws of the United States or any state of the United States. Note, this
information will not affect eligibility to obtain a permit.
For a brief definition of applicable business types, see our frequently asked questions at https://go.usa.gov/xp8Px
A SPECIAL NOTE ABOUT LEASES: There is no provision in the federal regulations to lease permits. Permit holders
may lease a vessel and obtain permits on the vessel as the lessee. Note that vessel owners and lessees cannot
independently hold permits for the same vessel at the same time

APPLICATION SECTION 7 –Businesses that Own Businesses Complete this section for any business

that owns more than 1% of any business within the ownership hierarchy of vessel owners or lessees listed in section 5a,
5b, or 6b. For every business, the sum of ownership, by either individuals or other businesses, must total 100%.
Photocopy this section as necessary to provide information about all businesses within the ownership hierarchy of the
vessel.
 For each business, provide the business’s full name, federal tax ID number (FEIN), date the business was formed,
phone number, physical and mailing address, and business type.
 Indicate if the business was established by the laws of the United States or any state of the United
 States. Note, this information will not affect eligibility to obtain a permit.
 For a brief definition of applicable business types, see our frequently asked questions at
https://go.usa.gov/xp8Px
 Example: If a vessel’s USCG documentation indicates that the vessel is owned by Company A, and Company A
is owned by Company B. Provide information about Company A in section 5 and Company B in section 7.

APPLICATION SECTION 8 –Businesses Officers and Individual Owners
Complete this section for any individual that owns more than 1% of any business within the ownership hierarchy of
vessel owners or lessees, as listed in section 5a, 5b, 6b, or 7. For every business, the sum of ownership, by either
individuals or other businesses, must total 100%. Photocopy this section as
necessary to provide information about all businesses within the ownership hierarchy of the vessel
 For each individual owner or officer, include the entity’s full name, individual tax ID number (SSN), date of
birth, phone number, physical address, mailing address, sex, and race/ethnicity information.
 Indicate if the individual is a United States citizen or permanent resident alien. Note, this information will
not affect eligibility to obtain a permit.

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Example: If a vessel’s USCG documentation indicates that the vessel is owned by Company A, provide
information about all owners and officers of Company A. If Company A is also owned in whole or part by
Company B, complete section 8 to provide information about all individual owners and officers of Company
A and Company B.

Photocopy this section as necessary to provide information about all businesses and their respective owners and
officers that comprise the ownership hierarchy of the vessel.
APPLICATION SECTION 9 – Minor shareholders
This section is left blank for most applicants. Complete Section 9 if a business listed in Section 5a, 5b, 6b, or 7 has
owners that individually own less than 1% of the business. Provide the total percentage of ownership that is individually
held by owners who own less than 1%.
APPLICATION SECTION 10 -- Historical Captain or Designated Operator (Income Qualifer)
This section does not apply for most applications. Only complete this section for:
1) Gulf of Mexico Charter/Headboat permits with a Historical Captain endorsement, or
2) Commercial Spiny Lobster permit for which the income qualification requirement has been met the fishing income of a
Designated Operator. A Designated Operator is a vessel operator who is neither a vessel owner nor lessee listed in
Section 4a, 4b, 6a, nor an officer of a business that owns or leases the vessel as listed in 7a.
SPINY LOBSTER INCOME REQUIREMENTS
Percentage of earned income
At least 10%
Source of Earned Income
Sale of Catch
Time Frame for Qualification
The calendar year prior to application
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For each historical captain or designated operator, include the individual’s full name, individual tax ID
number (SSN), date of birth, phone number, physical and mailing address, and gender/ethnicity
information.
Indicate if the individual is a United States citizen or permanent resident alien. Note, this information will
not affect eligibility to obtain a permit.
Note that Designated Operators must ALSO sign the application in Section 13.
APPLICATION SECTION 11 - Sea Bass pots or Golden Crab pots
Complete this section only if you fish with pots in the snapper-grouper fishery or traps in the golden crab
fishery off the southern Atlantic states.

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The Sea Bass pot fishery requires tags be ordered through NMFS. Trap Tags for the golden crab fishery do
not need to be ordered through NMFS.

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To order tags from Floy Tag Inc through NMFS, complete this section with all Buoy, pot and tag information.
DO NOT SEND PAYMENT with this application as it will be returned to you. Once your permit is
issued, NMFS will submit the required tag order to Floy Tag , Inc. and Floy Tag, Inc. will contact the permit
holder for payment arrangements.

APPLICATION SECTION 12 – Small Business or Organization Certification
This section is required for ALL applicants. Your revenue and employment estimates for the most recent complete
calendar year your business or organization was active should include the revenues and employees of ALL affiliated
businesses or organizations. In general, businesses or organizations are affiliated with each other when one business or
organization controls or has the power to control another business or organization, or a third party controls or has the
power to control both. Specifically, businesses or organizations are considered to be affiliated if they have 50% or more
ownership in common. For e.g., if the same individual or individuals own or co-own multiple businesses, those businesses
would be considered affiliated and thus should be treated as a single operation for the purpose of estimating annual gross
revenues and employment.

APPLICATION SECTION 13 – SIGNATURE FOR APPLICATION
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If the vessel is leased, a lessee or a lessee’s representative must sign the application as the applicant. If
the vessel is not leased, a vessel owner or an owner’s representative must sign the application as the
applicant.

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If the vessel has a Designated Operator/Income Qualifier for Commercial Spiny Lobster permits, the
Designated Operator must also sign and date the application.

The following flowchart describes how to identify who needs to sign the application

KNOWINGLY SUPPLYING FALSE INFORMATION OR WILLFULLY OVERVALUING ANY FISHING INCOME TO OBTAIN A PERMIT
IS A VIOLATION OF FEDERAL LAW PUNISHABLE BY A FINE AND/OR IMPRISONMENT.

Public Burden Statement - A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor
shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with an information collection subject to the requirements of the
Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the information collection has a currently valid OMB Control Number. The
approved OMB Control Number for this information collection is 0648-0205. Without this approval, we could not conduct
this survey or information collection. Public reporting for this information collection is estimated to be approximately 50
minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the information collection. All responses to this information
collection are required to obtain benefits. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this
information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden to the: PRA Officer, National Marine Fisheries
Service, F/SER26, 263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701.
Privacy Act Statement - Authority: The collection of this information is authorized under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C 1801 et seq.), the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act, the Tuna
Conventions Act of 1950, the Antarctic Marine Living Resources Convention Act, the Western and Central Pacific
Fisheries Convention Implementation Act (16 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.), the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Endangered
Species Act and the Fur Seal Act. The authority for the mandatory collection of the Tax Identification Number (TIN) is 31
U.S.C. 7701.
Purpose: In order to manage U.S. fisheries, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) requires the use of permits or
registrations by participants in the United States. Information on NMFS permit applicants and renewing holders includes
vessel owner contact information, date of birth, TIN and vessel descriptive information. Permit holder information may be
used as sampling frames for surveys, as part of Fishery Management Council (FMC) analysis to support FMC decisions.
Routine Uses: The Department will use this information to determine permit eligibility and to identify fishery participants.
Disclosure of this information is permitted under the Privacy Act of 1974 (5 U.S.C. Section 552a), to be shared within
NMFS offices, in order to coordinate monitoring and management of sustainability of fisheries and protected resources,
as well as with the applicable state or regional marine fisheries commissions and international organizations. Disclosure
of this information is also subject to all of the published routine uses as identified in the Privacy Act System of Records
Notice COMMERCE/NOAA-19, Permits and Registrations for the United States Federally Regulated Fisheries.
Disclosure: Furnishing this information is voluntary; however, failure to provide complete and accurate information will
prevent the determination of eligibility for a permit.
The National Marine Fisheries Service requires this information for the conservation and management of marine fishery
resources. The data reported will be used to develop, implement, and monitor fishery management activities for a variety
of other uses. Responses to this collection are required to obtain or retain a fisheries permit under the Magnuson Stevens Act. Non-confidential information may be released via a NOAA Fisheries website. Non-confidential information
means: Name, Street Address, City, State, Zip code, Effective Date of Permit, Permit Types, Vessel Name, Vessel
Identification Number, and in the case of a “for hire” vessel the Passenger Capacity, or individual, corporate and lease
holders of permits. All other data submitted will be handled as confidential material in accordance with NOAA
Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fishery Statistics. Notwithstanding any other provisions of the
law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subjected 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.
Providing Demographic Information - NMFS has a continuing commitment to monitor the operation of its review and
issuance processes to identify and address any inequities based on the sex, race, or ethnicity of its permit applicants.
To gather information needed for this important task, the applicant(s) should submit the
requested demographic information for each owner or officer listed on the permit application. Submission of the
requested information is voluntary. Demographic data will not be used in the determination of whether to issue a permit.

U.S. Department of Commerce, NOAA
NMFS PERMITS OFFICE, F/SER14
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Toll Free 877-376-4877 (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET)
727-824-5326 (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. ET)
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/permits-and-forms

OMB Control Number 0648-0205; Expiration Date 01/31/2024

FEDERAL PERMIT APPLICATION FOR
VESSELS FISHING IN THE EXCLUSIVE
ECONOMIC ZONE (EEZ)
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY—DATE RECEIVED

FOR OFFICE USE ONLY
Application ID

REMEMBER TO SEND A COPY of the current (not expired) United States Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Documentation or a copy
of the State Vessel Registration. Do not send the original. If the vessel's state registration does not list all owners, also provide a copy
of the vessel's title, or other documentation from the appropriate state agency, that identifies all vessel owners.

SECTION 1 - VESSEL INFORMATION
Official Number From USCG Certificate Of
Documentation (If the vessel is documented)

Year Built

Length (ft)

Total Horsepower

State Registration Number (as applicable)

Crew Size—Including the Captain,
but not including passengers.
Vessel Name

ALL APPLICANTS—HOLD or FISH BOX CAPACITY: Estimate
How many pounds of product can you bring to the dock with
a full hold or fish boxes (including ice chests)?

Hull Identification Number (HIN)
Hull Material
Hailing Port City

Hailing Port County Or Parish

Hailing Port State

Product Storage
(check all that
apply)

Fuel Data

FIBERGLASS

DIESEL

WOOD

GASOLINE

STEEL

OTHER
(DESCRIBE)

ON ICE IN
HOLD, FISH
BOX, ICE
CHEST,
COOLER,
ETC

ALUMINUM

USCG DOCUMENTED VESSELS ONLY
Gross Tons
Net Tons

OTHER
(DESCRIBE)

FREEZER
Fuel Capacity -

LIVE WELL

Total Gallons

International Maritime Organization (IMO) Number
As applicable (see instructions)

This vessel is
used MOSTLY for
(select only one)

Passenger Capacity Data For Charter
Vessels/Headboats Only

Commercial
Fishing
Charter

UNINSPECTED VESSEL - “6-PACK”
USCG INSPECTED VESSEL: Specify

Headboat

Passenger Capacity as listed on the USCG
Certificate of Inspection, not including Capt.
and Crew.

1

For Shark and Swordfish Directed and
Incidental Permit Applicants Only: Does your
vessel fish with, or carry onboard, either
longline or gillnet gear?
Yes

No

Reminder: If yes, include a copy of your
“Protected Species Release,
Disentanglement, and Identification
Workshop Certificate”.

Form V2024.3 PRA - Revision date 12/11/2023

SECTION 2 - OPEN ACCESS PERMITS AND ENDORSEMENTS
Payment Reminder: All applications must include payment of a non-refundable application fee in the form of a check or money order made
payable to the U.S. Treasury. The fee is $25.00 for the first permit and $10.00 for each additional permit or endorsement requested on this
application. A separate decal is now required for each Gulf of Mexico charter/headboat permit. The fee is $10 per decal per permit. The fee
schedule is found with the Gulf of Mexico Charter/headboat permit requests on page 3.
FEE SCHEDULE FOR PERMITS AND ENDORSEMENTS:
Permit:

1: $25

2: $35

3: $45

4: $55

5: $65

6: $75

7: $85

8: $95

9: $105

10: $115

11: $125

12: $135

INSTRUCTIONS: Find the permits in the left column and mark the check box beside that fishery to indicate what transaction(s) you want.

OPEN ACCESS COMMERCIAL PERMITS

NEW

RENEW

NEW

RENEW

ATLANTIC DOLPHIN/WAHOO (ADW)
SPINY LOBSTER (LC) (Not required for the EEZ off Florida)
SPINY LOBSTER TAILING (LT) You must have an LC permit OR provide your FL SPL information below.
SPANISH MACKEREL (SM)
ROCK SHRIMP - CAROLINAS ZONE (RSCZ) An Operator Card is required
SOUTH ATLANTIC PENAEID SHRIMP (SPA)
GULF ROYAL RED SHRIMP ENDORSEMENT (GRRS) You must have a valid Gulf of Mexico Shrimp permit
HMS COMMERCIAL CARIBBEAN SMALL BOAT PERMIT (CCSB) Valid only in U.S. Caribbean (Puerto Rico and USVI)
SMOOTH HOUND SHARK (SHS)

OPEN ACCESS CHARTER/HEADBOAT PERMITS
ATLANTIC CHARTER/HEADBOAT FOR DOLPHIN/WAHOO (CDW) An Operator Card is required
SOUTH ATLANTIC CHARTER/HEADBOAT FOR COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGICS (CHS)
SOUTH ATLANTIC CHARTER/HEADBOAT FOR SNAPPER-GROUPER (SC)

SPINY LOBSTER INCOME QUALIFICATION AFFIDAVIT
An Income Qualification Affidavit is required with each application: “50CFR622.400 An applicant must provide the following
information: (vi) A sworn statement by the applicant for a vessel permit certifying that at least 10 percent of his or her earned income
was derived from commercial fishing, that is, sale of the catch, during the calendar year preceding the application. “ Knowingly
supplying false information or willfully overvaluing any fishing income for the purpose of obtaining a permit is a violation of Federal law
punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. The affidavit below fulfills this requirement to obtain a Spiny Lobster Permit

The following information applies to my income qualification for the Spiny Lobster fishery:
I, ___________________________________________ , hereby declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is
true and correct (28 USC 1746; 18 USC 1621; 18 USC 1001; 16 USC 1857). I agree to provide the necessary documentation to
prove that I met the earned income requirement when so requested by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

Executed on ___________(date signed). Printed Name ______________________

Signature ____________________________

Business Name (if Applicable) ____________________________Type of business (if Applicable) ____________________________
Position In Business (if Applicable) ____________________
FOR LOBSTER TAILING PERMIT APPLICANTS ONLY
LOBSTER TAILING APPLICANTS: To obtain a lobster tailing permit you must possess a Florida Saltwater Products License (SPL) with
Restricted Species and Crawfish endorsements. If you do not have a Florida SPL with Restricted Species and Crawfish Endorsements, you
must possess or simultaneously obtain a valid Federal Spiny Lobster (LC) permit.

You must provide a copy of your Florida SPL if you do not have a Federal Spiny Lobster (LC) permit
Saltwater Products License Number

Crawfish Endorsement Number

Saltwater Products License
Expiration Date

2

SECTION 3 - LIMITED ACCESS/MORATORIUM PERMITS AND ENDORSEMENTS
Payment Reminder: All applications must include payment of a non-refundable application fee in the form of a check or money order
made payable to the U.S. Treasury. Please refer to the fee schedule in section 2 of the application.,
INSTRUCTIONS: Find the permits in the left column and mark the check box beside that fishery to indicate what transaction(s) you want.

PERMIT
NUMBER TRANSFER

LIMITED ACCESS COMMERCIAL PERMITS

RENEW

KING MACKEREL (KM)
GILLNET FOR KING MACKEREL (GN)

GULF OF MEXICO SHRIMP (SPGM)
GULF OF MEXICO COMMERCIAL REEF FISH (RR)
EASTERN GULF OF MEXICO REEF FISH BOTTOM LONG LINE ENDORSEMENT (RRLE)
ROCK SHRIMP (SOUTH ATLANTIC EEZ) (RSLA) An Operator Card is required
SOUTH ATLANTIC GOLDEN CRAB (GC)
SOUTH ATLANTIC UNLIMITED SNAPPER-GROUPER (EXCLUDING WRECKFISH) (SG1)
SOUTH ATLANTIC 225 LB TRIP LIMIT SNAPPER-GROUPER (EXCLUDING WRECKFISH) (SG2)
SOUTH ATLANTIC SEA BASS POT ENDORSEMENT (SBPE)
SOUTH ATLANTIC GOLDEN TILEFISH ENDORSEMENT (GTFE)

SWORDFISH DIRECTED (SFD)
SWORDFISH HANDGEAR (SFH)
SWORDFISH INCIDENTAL (SFI)
SHARK DIRECTED (SKD)
SHARK INCIDENTAL (SKI)
ATLANTIC TUNA LONGLINE (ATL) Must have either SFI or SKI and either SFD or SKD

PERMIT
NUMBER

LIMITED ACCESS CHARTER/HEADBOAT PERMITS

Fee Schedule for Charter Decals: 1 Decal - $10 2 Decals - $20.
Note: Decal fees are in addition to normal permit fees. See fee Schedule at the top of section 2.
GULF CHARTER/HEADBOAT FOR COASTAL MIGRATORY PELAGIC FISH (CHG)
GULF CHARTER/HEADBOAT FOR REEF FISH (RCG)

3

TRANSFER RENEW

SECTION 4 - INDIVIDUAL VESSEL OWNER(S) INFORMATION
Section 4a: Primary or Sole Owner: Complete this section if there is one or more individual shown on the USCG documentation, State
Registration or title as the registered owner of the vessel. Select only ONE mailing recipient.
MAILING RECIPIENT - By Default, All mail about this permit will go to the individual listed in Section this Section unless the vessel is leased.
REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Is this individual a United States Citizen
or permanent resident alien?

YES

Last Name

NO

Suffix - Jr, Sr, etc.

Middle Name

First Name

If you are operating under a different name,
what is your Doing Business As (DBA) name?
Individual Tax ID Number (SSN)

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.
Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: NMFS is committed to monitoring its review and issuance processes to identify and address
any inequities based on the sex, race, or ethnicity of its permit applicants. The applicant(s) should submit the requested demographic information for each owner or officer listed on the permit application to gather information needed for this important task.
Submission of the requested information is voluntary. Demographic data will not be used to determine whether to issue a permit.
What is this
individual’s Sex?

What is this
individual’s race
or ethnicity?
Mark all
that apply

Male

Female

White

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino

American Indian or Alaska Native

Other ______________________________

Asian

Middle Eastern or North African

If there are additional individual vessel owners listed on the vessel’s USCG Certificate of Documentation, State Vessel Registration or Vessel Title, copy this page and provide the information
for each additional vessel owner.

4

SECTION 5 – BUSINESS VESSEL OWNER(S) INFORMATION
Section 5a: Primary or Sole Owner: Complete this section if there is one or more businesses shown on the USCG Documentation,
State Registration or Title as the registered owner of the vessel. NOTE—MAILING RECIPIENT - By default, All mail about this
permit will go to the business listed in Section 5a unless the vessel is leased.
REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Type of
business:

S Corporation

Cooperative

Other_______________

C Corporation

Limited Liability Co.

Partnership

YES
NO

State where the Business is originally registered

COMPLETE Registered Name of Business

Federal Employer Tax ID Number (FEIN)

Was this Business properly established by
the laws of the United States or any state
of the United States?

Date Business Formed (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.
Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

Section 5b: Joint Owner: Complete this section if there is another business shown on the USCG Documentation, State Registration or
Title as the registered joint owner of the vessel.

REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Type of
business:

S Corporation

Cooperative

Other_______________

C Corporation

Limited Liability Co.

Partnership

YES
NO

State where the Business is originally registered

COMPLETE Registered Name of Business

Federal Employer Tax ID Number (FEIN)

Was this Business properly established by
the laws of the United States or any state
of the United States?

Date Business Formed (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.
Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

If there are additional Business vessel owners listed on the vessel’s USCG Certificate of Documentation,
State Vessel Registration or Vessel Title, copy this page and provide the information for each additional
vessel owner.
5

SECTION 6A – LEASE INFORMATION—INDIVIDUAL OR JOINT INDIVIDUAL LESSEE
If the permit holder is leasing the vessel from the vessel owner in order to assign permits to the vessel, provide the lease information in this section. You must provide a copy of the lease agreement. The term of the lease must be a minimum of 7 months. Please Note: Any permits already
held and assigned to the vessel by the vessel owner will be ended and will not be valid for fishing if the vessel is leased to another permit holder
whose permits are assigned to the vessel.
MAILING RECIPIENT - Because the vessel is leased to an individual, all mail about this permit will go to the individual listed in this section.
Lease start date:

Lease end date:

REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Is this individual a United States Citizen
or permanent resident alien?

YES

Last Name

NO

Suffix - Jr, Sr, etc.

Middle Name

First Name

If you are operating under a different name,
what is your Doing Business As (DBA) name?
Individual Tax ID Number (SSN)

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.
Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: NMFS is committed to monitoring its review and issuance processes to identify and address
any inequities based on the sex, race, or ethnicity of its permit applicants. The applicant(s) should submit the requested demographic information for each owner or officer listed on the permit application to gather information needed for this important task.
Submission of the requested information is voluntary. Demographic data will not be used to determine whether to issue a permit.
What is this individual’s
Sex?

What is this
individual’s race
or ethnicity?
Mark all
that apply

Male

Female

White

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino

American Indian or Alaska Native

Other ______________________________

Asian

Middle Eastern or North African

If there are additional individual vessel lessees, copy this page and provide the information
for each additional vessel lessee.
A note about leasing vessels—If the vessel owner already has permits issued by our office assigned to this vessel and leases
the vessel to a different permit holder to assign a one or more different permits to the vessel, those permits held by the
vessel owner WILL NOT BE VALID for fishing.

6

SECTION 6B – LEASE INFORMATION—BUSINESS LESSEE
If the permit holder is leasing the vessel from the vessel owner in order to assign permits to the vessel, provide the lease information in this section. You must provide a copy of the lease agreement. The term of the lease must be a minimum of 7 months. Please Note: Any permits already
held and assigned to the vessel by the vessel owner will be ended and will not be valid for fishing if the vessel is leased to another permit holder
whose permits are assigned to the vessel.
MAILING RECIPIENT - Because the vessel is leased to a business, all mail about this permit will go to the Business listed in this section.
Lease start date:

Lease end date:

REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Type of
business:

S Corporation

Cooperative

Other_______________

C Corporation

Limited Liability Co.

Partnership

YES
NO

State where the Business is originally registered

COMPLETE Registered Name of Business

Federal Employer Tax ID Number (FEIN)

Was this Business properly established by
the laws of the United States or any state
of the United States?

Date Business Formed (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.
Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

A note about leasing vessels—If the vessel owner already has permits issued by our office assigned to this vessel and leases
the vessel to a different permit holder to assign a one or more different permits to the vessel, those permits held by the
vessel owner WILL NOT BE VALID for fishing.

7

SECTION 7 - BUSINESSES THAT OWN BUSINESSES
Complete this section for each business that owns 1% or more of a business listed in sections 5a, 5b and/or 6b. Copy this section as needed.

REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Type of
business:

S Corporation

Cooperative

Other_______________

C Corporation

Limited Liability Co.

Partnership

Was this Business properly established by
the laws of the United States or any state
of the United States?

YES
NO

Registered Name of Business

Federal Employer Tax ID Number (FEIN)

Date Business Formed (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.
Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Type of
business:

S Corporation

Cooperative

Other_______________

C Corporation

Limited Liability Co.

Partnership

Was this Business properly established by
the laws of the United States or any state
of the United States?

Registered Name of Business

Federal Employer Tax ID Number (FEIN)

Date Business Formed (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.
Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

The officers and/or shareholders for each business must be provided by completing section 8 of this application.

8

YES
NO

SECTION 8 - BUSINESS OFFICERS AND BUSINESS OWNERS

Complete this section by providing information on all individual officers and owners that own 1% or more of any business listed in sections
5a, 5b, 6b, and 7.

REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Business for which this individual is an officer/owner of:
Position Held - Check ALL That Apply
Vice President
President/CEO

Secretary

Treasurer

Director/ Manager

Shareholder

Other

Percent of Business Owned:
Is this individual a United States Citizen
or permanent resident alien?

YES

Last Name

NO

Suffix - Jr, Sr, etc.

Middle Name

First Name

If you are operating under a different name,
what is your Doing Business As (DBA) name?
Individual Tax ID Number (SSN)

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.

Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: NMFS is committed to monitoring its review and issuance processes to identify and address
any inequities based on the sex, race, or ethnicity of its permit applicants. The applicant(s) should submit the requested demographic information for each owner or officer listed on the permit application to gather information needed for this important task.
Submission of the requested information is voluntary. Demographic data will not be used to determine whether to issue a permit.
What is this individual’s
Sex?

What is this
individual’s race
or ethnicity?
Mark all
that apply

Male

Female

White

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino

American Indian or Alaska Native

Other ______________________________

Asian

Middle Eastern or North African

SECTION 9 - OWNER INFORMATION FOR UNNAMED MINOR SHAREHOLDERS OF BUSINESSES
MINOR OWNERS - Check here if one or more owners (individual OR business) holds shares that are less than 1% of the total business shares.
TOTAL PERCENTAGE of the business shares held by minor owners.

The total percentage of ownership of the business MUST equal 100%. If there are additional officers
and /or shareholders, copy this page and provide the information for each additional officer/shareholder.
9

SECTION 10 - DESIGNATED OPERATOR (INCOME QUALIFIER who is not the permit holder)
A Designated Operator MUST sign Section 13 as the operator along with the applicant AND complete the income
Qualification Affidavit in Section 2 of the application.
REQUIRED INFORMATION - Permits cannot be issued without this information.
Is this individual a United States Citizen
or permanent resident alien?

YES

Last Name

NO

Suffix - Jr, Sr, etc.

Middle Name

First Name

If you are operating under a different name,
what is your Doing Business As (DBA) name?
Individual Tax ID Number (SSN)

Date of Birth (MM/DD/YYYY)

Area Code

Phone Number

Email Address
Mailing Address

Apt #

City

State

County/Parish

Zip Code

Country

State

County/Parish Zip Code

Country

Check box if the Physical Address is the same as the mailing address.
Physical Address (PO Box not acceptable)

Apt #

City

DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION: NMFS is committed to monitoring its review and issuance processes to identify and address
any inequities based on the sex, race, or ethnicity of its permit applicants. The applicant(s) should submit the requested demographic information for each owner or officer listed on the permit application to gather information needed for this important task.
Submission of the requested information is voluntary. Demographic data will not be used to determine whether to issue a permit.
What is this individual’s
Sex?

What is this
individual’s race
or ethnicity?
Mark all
that apply

Male

Female

White

Black or African American

Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

Hispanic or Latino

American Indian or Alaska Native

Other ______________________________

Asian

Middle Eastern or North African

SECTION 11 - SEA BASS POTS OR GOLDEN CRAB TRAPS
COMPLETE THIS SECTION ONLY IF YOU HAVE SEA BASS POTS OR IF YOU HAVE GOLDEN CRAB TRAPS.
Tag cost is $2.50 per tag. NMFS is NO LONGER accepting Floy Tag Payments. DO NOT SEND FLOY TAG PAYMENT with this
application as it will be returned to you. Once your permit is issued, NMFS will submit the required tag order to Floy
Tag , Inc. and Floy Tag, Inc. will contact the permit holder for payment arrangements.
I need tags for:

Sea Bass Pots

Golden Crab Traps

What color are your Buoys for Sea Bass Pots or Golden Crab Traps?
South Atlantic Sea Bass Pot/Golden Crab Trap Information - You are allowed a MAXIMUM of 35 Sea Bass Pots
Number of
Pots/Traps

Pot or Trap Height
(inches)

Pot or Trap Length
(inches)

Pot or Trap Width
(inches)

10

Mesh Size Height
(inches)

Mesh Size Width
(inches)

SECTION 12 - SMALL BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATION
ALL applicants must complete this section
● For vessels that are leased, complete this section for business(es), including sole proprietorship(s),or organization(s) that
lease the vessel.
● For vessels that are not leased, complete this section for business(es), including sole proprietorship(s), ororganization(s)
that own the vessel (i.e., the business(es), including sole proprietorship(s), or organization(s) that appear on the vessel’s
USCG documentation or state registration).
Information needed to complete this section: Please estimate your annual gross revenues (sales) for the most recent calendar
year your business or organization was active prior to this year. Your primary activity is the activity that generated the greatest
percentage of annual gross revenues in the most recent complete calendar year the business or organization was active. Review
the business/organization descriptions in Boxes 1 through 7 and identify the one that describes the applicant’s primary activity. If
the business is primarily a seafood dealer or processor, estimate the number of employees for the most recent calendar year your
business or organization was active prior to this year. Include all full-time, part-time, and temporary employees in your estimate,
but do not include crew that work on any vessels owned by the business or organization or its affiliates. Your estimates should account for the revenues and employees of ALL businesses and organizations with which your business or organization is affiliated.
See the instructions at the beginning of the application package for more information about affiliation. If you have questions about
affiliation and how it applies in your case, please call 727-824-5305 and ask for one of our Office’s economists.

How to fill out the form: Start with Box 1. If the answer to the question in Box 1 is “Yes,’’ check “Yes” and answer the questions in
the box to the right and follow the instructions in that box. If the answer to Question 1 is “No,” check “No” and go to Box 2. Continue this process until you have either: (1) answered “Yes” to ONE of the questions in Boxes 1 through 6 AND the applicable questions in the boxes to the right, OR (2) answered all questions in Box 7.
Box 1. Is the business primarily involved in
harvesting seafood (commercial fishing)?

1A) Was the business active prior to
this year?

Yes

Yes

No

No

If the answer is yes, go to question 1A to the
right. Otherwise, go to Question 2 below.

If yes, go to question 1B. If no, you
are done. Go to Section 13 of the

Box 2. Is the business primarily involved in
for-hire fishing services (charter, party/
headboat)?

2A) Was the business active prior to
this year?

Yes

No

If the answer is yes, go to question 2A to the
right. Otherwise, go to Question 3 below.

Box 3. Is the business primarily involved in
buying and selling seafood (seafood
dealer/wholesaler)?
Yes

No

Yes

No

If yes, go to question 2B. If no, you
are done. Go to Section 13 of the
application.

3A) Was the business active prior to
this year?
Yes

No

If the answer is yes, go to question 3A to the
right. Otherwise, go to Question 4 below.

If yes, go to question 3B. If no, you
are done. Go to Section 13 of the
application.

Box 4. Is the business primarily involved in
processing seafood (seafood processor)?

4A) Was the business active prior to
this year?

Yes

Yes

No

If the answer is yes, go to question 1A to the
right. Otherwise, go to Question 5 on the next
page.

No

If yes, go to question 4B. If no, you
are done. Go to Section 13 of the
application.

Next page
11

1B) What was the most recent year the
business was active prior to this year?
_____________
Did the business have more than $11 million in
gross receipts in that year? Yes
No
You are done. Go to Section 13 of the

2B) What was the most recent year the
business was active prior to this year?
_____________
Did the business have more than $14 million in
gross receipts in that year? Yes
No
You are done. Go to Section 13 of the
application.

3B) What was the most recent year the
business was active prior to this year?
_____________
Did the business have more than 100
employees? Yes
No
You are done. Go to Section 13 of the
application.

4B) What was the most recent year the
business was active prior to this year?
_____________
Did the business have more than 750
employees? Yes
No
You are done. Go to Section 13 of the
application.

SECTION 12 - SMALL BUSINESS OR ORGANIZATION CERTIFICATION
(Continued from previous page)

5A) Was the organization active
prior to this year?

Box 5. Is the organization an Environmental,
Conservation and Wildlife, or Professional
Non-Profit Organization?
Yes

Yes

No

No

If yes, go to question 5B. If no, you
are done. Go to Section 13 of the
application.

If the answer is yes, go to question 5A to the
right. Otherwise, go to Question 6 below.

5B) What was the most recent year the
organization was active prior to this year?
_____________
Did the organization have more than $15
Million in gross receipts? Yes
No
You are done. Go to Section 13 of the
application.

If you are here, you have answered NO to Questions 1 thru 5. If you answered one of those questions YES, return to that question and finish
there.
6)
The business or organization must be primarily involved in another industry not related to fishing or seafood. Refer to SBA’s list of North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes (see https://www.sba.gov/document/support--table-size-standards ) and enter the NAICS code
for your primary activity here:

Based on the applicable SBA size standard, check the appropriate box to indicate if the business or organization is Large or Small and
report the year on which that conclusion was based.
Large

Small

Year:

You are done. Go to Section 13 of the application.

SECTION 13 - SIGNATURE FOR APPLICATION - REQUIRED
The undersigned certifies under penalty of perjury that the foregoing information is true and correct (28 USC 1746; 18 USC 1621;
18 USC 1001, 16 USC 1857). Further, the undersigned certifies that if a spiny lobster tailing permit is requested, the applicant
routinely fishes commercially in Federal waters on trips of up to 48 hours or more and that such fishing activity requires the
separation of the tail and carapace to maintain quality product.
Please note: If the vessel listed in Section 1 is leased, the applicant who signs below must be an individual named as a lessee in
Section 6a, or an officer or shareholder of the lessee as listed in Section 7b, with that individuals information listed in section 8. If
the vessel listed in Section 1 is not leased, the applicant must be an individual named as an owner in Section 4, or an officer or
shareholder of the owner as listed in Section 8.
Applicant Signature
(Vessel Owner from Section 4,
Company Officer Shareholder from Section 8,
OR Lessee From Section 6)

Date

Print Name
Position in Business (Officer or Shareholder
from Section 8)
Designated Operator Signature

Date

(Individual who filled out section 10 for Lobster Permits)

12