Application for Federal Processor Permit (FPP)

Revised 01/27/2021

Application For
FEDERAL PROCESSOR
PERMIT (FPP)

OMB Control No. 0648-0206; Expiration Date: 04/30/2024
United States Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
Restricted Access Management (RAM)
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, Alaska 99802-1668
Telephone: (800) 304-4846 toll free or
(907) 586-7202 Juneau
Fax: (907) 586-7354

An FPP is in effect for one year, running from March 1 through the last day of February.
NOTICE: Only persons who are U.S. Citizens are authorized to receive or hold a
Federal Processor Permit.
TYPE OF FPP REGISTRATION
Indicate the category of processor below.

□ Shoreside Processor

□ Stationary Floating Processor

□ CQE* Floating Processor

IMPORTANT! ATTACH a copy of the U.S. Coast Guard Abstract of Title or Certificate of Documentation with
this application if ownership of the vessel used as an SFP or CQE floating processor listed in Block D has changed
or if an FPP has never been issued using this vessel.
* Community Quota Entity
Indicate type of permit request.

□ New

□ Renew

□ Amend

□ Surrender

If requesting to renew, amend, or surrender an existing FPP, please provide current FPP number
You must complete all blocks relevant to your processor and activities. Failure to complete all relevant blocks can
result in improper permitting.
NOTE: For the Federal Processor Permit application to be considered complete,
any observer fees due to NMFS under regulations at 50 CFR 679.55 must be paid in full.

Application for Federal Processor Permit
Page 1 of 9

BLOCK A – SHORESIDE PROCESSOR INFORMATION
1. Name of Shoreside Processor

2. Tax identification Number (EIN or SSN)

3. NMFS Person ID

4. ADF&G Processor Code

5. Permanent Business Mailing Address

Temporary Mailing Address (if applicable)

6. Physical Location of Plant (street address, city, and state)

7. Business Telephone

8. Business Fax No.

9. Business Email Address

BLOCK B – SFP or CQE VESSEL INFORMATION
1. Name of Vessel

2. Is this a vessel of the United States?

□ YES
4. ADF&G Vessel Registration No.

□ NO
5. ADF&G Processor Code
No.

6. Tax Identification No. (EIN
or SSN)

7. Length Overall (LOA) in feet

8. Gross Tonnage

9. Shaft Horsepower

Registered Length in feet

Net Tonnage

3. USCG Documentation No.

10. Homeport of Vessel (city and state)

11. GOA Inshore Processing Endorsement
A SFP that wishes to receive a Gulf of Alaska (GOA) inshore processing endorsement must check the box

□ GOA Inshore Processing Endorsement
A GOA inshore processing endorsement is required in order to process GOA inshore pollock and Eastern
GOA inshore Pacific cod. An SFP that holds an inshore processing endorsement is prohibited from
processing GOA Pollock and GOA Pacific cod in more than ingle geographic location during a fishing
year and is also prohibited from operating as a catcher/processor in the Bering Sea Aleutian Islands
Management Area (BSAI). Once issued, a GOA inshore processing endorsement cannot be rescinded for
the duration of the fishing year (see instructions for further explanation).
Application for Federal Processor Permit
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12. GOA CQE Floating Processor Endorsement
A CQE Floating Processor endorsement is required for vessels processing Pacific cod within the marine
municipal boundaries of CQE communities in the Western or Central GOA. Eligible vessel are limited to
Federally licensed vessels not meeting the definition of a stationary floating processor that have not
harvested groundfish off Alaska in the same calendar year. A vessel meeting these requirements that
wishes to receive a GOA CQE floating processor endorsement must check this box

□ GOA CQE Floating Processor
Vessels are prohibited from holding both a GOA CQE Floating Processor endorsement and a GOA
Stationary Floating Processor during the same calendar year. Once issued, a GOA inshore processing
endorsement cannot be rescinded for the duration of a fishing year (see instructions for further
explanation)
BLOCK C – OWNER INFORMATION
List all owners of the Shoreside Processor or Vessel Identified in Block A or Block B
1. Name of Primary Owner
2. NMFS Person ID
3. Permanent Business Mailing Address (Contact Owner)
4. Business Telephone Number

5. Business Fax Number

6. Business Email Address

7. Additional Owners (attach additional pages if necessary)
Name

NMFS Person ID

Application for Federal Processor Permit
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BLOCK D – SIGNATURE
The owner of the Shoreside Processor in Block B or the Vessel in Block C, or their authorized
representative must sign this application.
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. If
authorized representative, attach authorization.
Applicant Name (please print)
Signature
Date

This information is used to verify the identity of the applicant(s) and to accurately retrieve confidential records related
to Federal permits. The primary purpose for requesting the SSN/TIN is for the collection and reporting on any
delinquent amounts arising out of such person’s relationship with the government pursuant to the Debt Collection
Improvement Act of 1996 (Public Law 104-134). Personal information is confidential and protected under the Privacy
Act (5 U.S.C. 552a). Business information may be disclosed to the public.
PUBLIC REPORTING 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 0648-0206. Without this approval, we could not conduct this information collection. Public reporting
burden for this information collection is estimated to average 25 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
information collection. All responses to this information collection are mandatory and 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.). 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.
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.).
PURPOSE: The Federal Processor Permit (FPP) is required for stationary floating processors (processing vessels that
operate solely within Alaska State waters). The permit also is required for shoreside processors that receive and/or process
groundfish harvested from Federal waters (or from any Federally permitted vessels). FPPs are non-transferable, 3-year
permits, issued to owners on request and without charge. The Magnuson-Stevens Act specifically recognizes the need for
permit issuance. The requirement of a permit for marine resource users is one of the regulatory steps taken to carry out
conservation and management objectives. The issuance of a permit is an essential ingredient in the management of fishery
resources needed for identification of the participants and expected activity levels and for regulatory compliance.
ROUTINE USES: The Department will use this information to determine permit eligibility and to identify fishery participants.
All information collections by NMFS Alaska Region are protected under confidentiality provisions of section 402(b) of the
Magnuson-Stevens Act as amended in 2006 (16 U.S.C. 1801, et seq.) and under NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, which
sets forth procedures to protect confidentiality of fishery statistics. 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 mandatory; failure to provide complete and accurate information will prevent
the determination of eligibility for a permit.

Application for Federal Processor Permit
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Instructions
APPLICATION FOR

NOTE: For the Federal Processor Permit application to be considered complete,
all fees due to NMFS per § 679.55 must be paid.
No shoreside processor of the United States, stationary floating processor (SFP), or a community quota entity
(CQE) floating processor defined at § 679.2 may receive, process, purchase, or arrange to purchase unprocessed
groundfish harvested in the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) or Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI),
unless the owner or authorized representative first obtains an Federal Processor Permit (FPP) issued under
50 CFR 679.4(f). A processor may not be operated in a category other than as specified on the FPP. An FPP is
issued without charge.
Observer fee liability.
Persons holding a Federal Processor Permit may be required to pay an ex-vessel value-based fee to NMFS to
support the funding and development of observers on vessels and in plants in the “partial observer coverage
category.” This fee is intended to be split evenly between the vessel owner/operator and the processor. However,
owner of a shoreside processor or stationary floating processor named on an FPP are responsible for collecting the
fee, including the vessel’s portion, at the time of landing and remitting the full fee amount to NMFS.
For the FPP application to be considered complete, all fees due to NMFS from the owner or authorized
representative of a shoreside processor or SFP or person named on a Registered Buyer permit subject to the
observer fee as specified at § 679.55(c) at the time of application must be paid. An FPP permit holder who has
incurred a fee liability must pay the fee to NMFS by February 15 of the year following the calendar year in which
the landing was made. Full payment of the observer fee liability is required before NMFS will issue a new or
renewed FPP.
For additional information on the observer fee liability, please refer to the NMFS Alaska
Regions website at: https://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/fisheries/observer-program
An FPP is in effect for one year, running from March 1 through the last day of February.
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).
GOA Inshore Processing Endorsement. A GOA inshore processing endorsement is required in order to process
Eastern GOA inshore Pacific cod and GOA inshore pollock. SFPs that hold an inshore processing endorsement are
prohibited from processing GOA pollock and Eastern GOA Pacific cod in more than one single geographic location
during a fishing year and are also prohibited from operating as a catcher/processor in the BSAI. Vessels holding
the GOA inshore processing endorsement face additional operating restrictions (see 50 CFR 679.7).
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 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.
Vessels are prohibited from holding both a GOA CQE Floating Processor endorsement and a GOA Mothership
endorsement during the same calendar year. Once issued, a GOA inshore processing endorsement cannot be
rescinded for the duration of a fishing year.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Application for Federal Processor Permit
Page 5 of 9

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 processor. Application forms and instructions are also available
on the NMFS, Alaska Region web site at www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/ram.
If ownership has changed or if an FPP has never been issued for this processor, ATTACH a copy of the
United States Coast Guard (USCG) Abstract of Title or Certificate of Documentation with thisapplication
Type or print legibly in ink.
Retain a copy of the completed application for your records.

FPP applications may be submitted by:
Mail to:

NMFS, Alaska Region
Restricted Access Management (RAM) Program
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802

Deliver to:

Federal Building
709 W. 9th Street, Suite 713
Juneau, AK 99801

Or fax to:

907-586-7354

Applications may be faxed to RAM; however, permits cannot and will not be faxed back.
If you have questions about this permit, please call RAM toll free at 800-304-4846 (select option 2) or
907-586-7202 (select option 2) or e-mail your questions to [email protected]. View our website at
www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.
eLandings
A shoreside processor, SFP, or CQE floating processor that is issued an FPP under 50 CFR part 679.4(f) must use
eLandings or other NMFS-approved software to daily record and report groundfish. For more information on
eLandings, see http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/elandings/faq.htm#ecr.
SPECIAL HANDLING OF PERMITS
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. Items will be sent by first class mail, unless
you provide alternate instructions for NMFS to send by a faster method than regular mail.
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.
COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
NOTE: The FPP must be renewed annually.
TYPE OF FPP REGISTRATION
1. Indicate the category of processor: Shoreside Processor, SFP, or CQE Floating Processor
NOTE: ATTACH a copy of the USCG Abstract of Title or Certificate of Documentation with this
application if ownership of the vessel used as a SFP or CQE floating processor listed in Block B has
changed or if an FPP has never been issued using this vessel.
2. Indicate the type of permit request: New FPP, Renew FPP, Amend FPP, or Surrender FPP.
3. If this application is to renew, amend, or surrender an existing FPP, please provide your current FPP number.

Application for Federal Processor Permit
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NOTE: If you are surrendering your permit, complete Block A or Block B, and C, sign the
application in Block D, and submit to NMFS.
BLOCK A -- SHORESIDE PROCESSOR INFORMATION
Complete this block if you are requesting an FPP for a shoreside processor.
1. Enter name of Shoreside Processor for which this permit is to be issued.
2. Enter the Tax Identification Number. This information is required. Enter social security number (SSN) if
applicant is an individual. Enter employer identification number (EIN) if applicant is a corporation,
partnership, association or other non-individual business entity.
3-4. Enter NMFS Person ID and ADF&G Processor Code.
5. Enter the permanent business mailing address including street or P.O. box number, city, state, and zip
code. Your permit will be sent to this address unless you provide a temporary mailing address.
If you want the permit sent to somewhere other than to the permanent address, list this address in the box
titled “Temporary Mailing Address” and include street or P.O. Box number, city, state, and zip code.
NOTE: IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ENSURE THAT NMFS HAS YOUR
CURRENT PERMANENT BUSINESS MAILING ADDRESS ON FILE.
6. Enter the physical location where this Shoreside Processor is operating. Enter street address, city and state.
DO NOT USE POST OFFICE BOX NUMBERS.
7-9. Enter the business telephone number and business fax number, including area code, and business e-mail
address. 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.
NOTE: A business e-mail address is required in order for you to access NMFS, Alaska Region
on-line services, including making payments of required fees.
BLOCK B – SFP or CQE VESSEL INFORMATION
Complete this block if you are requesting an FPP for an SFP or CQE.
1. Enter the complete vessel name as displayed in the official documentation.
2. Check whether or not the vessel is a vessel of the United States.
3. Enter the USCG documentation number (example: 566722).
4. Enter the 5-digit State of Alaska Department of Fish & Game (ADF&G) vessel registration
number (example: 51233).
5. Enter the ADF&G Processor Code assigned to this vessel.
6. Enter the Tax Identification Number. This information is required. Enter social security number (SSN) if
applicant is an individual. Enter employer identification number (EIN) if applicant is a corporation,
partnership, association or other non-individual business entity.
Application for Federal Processor Permit
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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: (1) the outside foremost part of the vessel visible above the waterline, including bulwarks,
but excluding bowsprits and similar fittings or attachments, and (2) the outside aftermost part of the
vessel visible above the waterline including bulwarks, but excluding rudders, outboard motor brackets,
and similar fittings or attachments (50 CFR 679.2).
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.
10. Enter the home port of vessel (city and state) as recorded in the official documentation.
11. SFPs that wish to receive a GOA inshore processing endorsement must check the box.
GOA Inshore Processing Endorsement. A GOA inshore processing endorsement is required in order to
process Eastern GOA inshore Pacific cod and GOA inshore pollock. SFPs that hold an inshore processing
endorsement are prohibited from processing GOA pollock and Eastern GOA Pacific cod in more than one
single geographic location during a fishing year and are also prohibited from operating as a catcher/
processor in the BSAI. Vessels holding the GOA inshore processing endorsement face additional operating
restrictions (see 50 CFR 679.7).
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 permit
amendment prior to the beginning of that fishing year.

Application for Federal Processor Permit
Page 8 of 9

For more information on the inshore/offshore regulations, contact NMFS
Sustainable Fisheries Division toll free at 800-304-4846 (select option #3)
or 907-586-7228.
12.

CQEs that wish to receive a GOA CQE floating processor endorsement must check the box.
A CQE Floating Processor endorsement in required for vessels processing Pacific cod within the
marine municipal boundaries of CQE communities in the Western or Central GOA. Eligible vessels
are limited to Federally licensed vessels not meeting the definition of an SFP that have not harvested
groundfish off Alaska in the same calendar year.

NOTE: Vessels are prohibited from holding both a GOA CQE Floating Processor endorsement and a GOA
Mothership endorsement during the same calendar year. Once issued, a GOA inshore processing
endorsement cannot be rescinded for the duration of a fishing year.
BLOCK C -- OWNER INFORMATION
1. Enter the full name of the primary contact owner of the shoreside processor in Block A or
the vessel in Block B.
2. Enter the NMFS person ID of this primary contact owner.
NOTE: If there is more than one owner, list additional owner(s) information in box 7.
3. Enter the complete permanent business mailing address of the primary contact owner, including street or
P.O. Box number, state, and zip code.
4-6. Enter the business telephone number, business fax number, including area code, and business e-mail
address. 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.
NOTE: A business e-mail address is required in order for you to access any of the
NMFS, Alaska Region on-line services, including payment of Observer Fees.
7. Name(s) and NMFS person ID of all additional owners.
BLOCK E -- SIGNATURE
The owner or authorized representative of the owner of the shoreside processor, SFP, or CQE floating processor
must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or
her knowledge and belief. If the owner is a company, the authorized representative must sign and date the
application and attach authorization.

Application for Federal Processor Permit
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