Vessel Permit Application 2020

Greater Atlantic Region Federal Fisheries Vessel Permit Application

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE NATIONAL OCEANIC & ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION

NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE PERMIT OFFICE

55 Great Republic Drive

GLOUCESTER, MA 01930-2276

Tel: (978) 282-8438

Section 1 - Owner Information - Enter information in spaces provided. All items must be completed.

Vessel Name: Owner Name:

Mailing Address:

City: State: Zip: Telephone:

CG Doc. or State Registration Num: Alternate Phone:

Home Port: City ST Principal Port: City ST

Email Address:

Section 2 – Vessel Information

_{Vessel Length:}

_{Dredge Size:}

_{Overall length in feet. Dredge size in feet.}

_{Crew Size:}

_{Number of Dredges:}

_{Average number or crew, including the captain. Total number of dredges aboard the vessel.}

_{Gross Tonnage:}

_{Pump Horsepower:}

_{As recorded on US Coast Guard Documentation. This item applies to surf clam/ocean quahog vessels only.}

Year Built:

The year the vessel was built.

Engine HP:

The vessel engine horsepower.

_{Fish Hold Capacity:}

Construction: Please check the number that applies to your vessel.

^1=Wood 2=Fiberglass ^3=Steel 4=Other

Propulsion: Please check the number that applies to your vessel.

^{1=Gasoline 2=Diesel} 3=Other

_{Number of Charter/Party Passengers:}

Measured to the nearest 100 pounds. Number of passengers the vessel is licensed to carry.

Signature required on back of form. OMB# 0648-0202 Expires 10/31/2022

Section 3 – Fishery Information

If you select a fishery category for which your vessel is not eligible, the processing of your permit may be delayed. See instructions for further details or call the Permit Office at (978) 282-8438.

Fisheries	Open Access Categories	Limited Access Categories - Qualified Vessels Only
Atlantic Sea Scallop		2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Atlantic Sea Scallop – General		A B C
Northeast Multispecies	HB I* J K	A C D E F HA
Monkfish	E	A B C D F H
Surf Clam/Ocean Quahog	1 6
Maine Mahogany Quahog		7
Summer Flounder	2*	1
Scup	2*	1
Black Sea Bass	2*	1
Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish	2* 3 4	1 5 6 T1 T2 T3 1A 1B 1C
Incidental HMS Squid Trawl		1
Spiny Dogfish	1
Atlantic Bluefish	1 2*
Atlantic Herring	D E	A B C
Tilefish	1 2*
Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab	A	B C
Skate	1
American Lobster – Non Trap		1 2*
American Lobster - Trap		A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 A6 AOC

Section 4 – Application Checklist & Signature. Include applicable forms below with your signed and dated application

_____ All vessels: copy of current (not expired) US Coast Guard (CG) Documentation or State Registration.

_____ Corporations, LLCs, Partnerships: signed and dated list of owners/officers/partners and their addresses.

_____ Limited access Sea Scallop permit holders: Sea Scallop Vessel Ownership Form with each vessel application.

_____ Charter/Party requests: CG Documentation must state “coastwise” or include a copy of your Captain’s license.

* Charter/Party permit categories

I, the undersigned, am the owner or legally authorized agent of the owner of the vessel named in Section 1. I affirm, subject to the penalties provided in 18 USC 1001, that all information provided to obtain this permit is true and correct.

Print Name: ___________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: ____________

Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 45 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or suggestions for reducing this burden to: Regional Administrator, NOAA Fisheries, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requires that potential respondents for permits be notified of certain information regarding their rights and the burden associated with applying for Federal fisheries permits. The purpose and use of these permits are to (1) register industry participants and fishing vessels, (2) list the characteristics of fishing vessels, (3) exercise influence over compliance, (4) provide a mailing list for the dissemination of important information, and (5) register participants to be considered to limited entry. Owner name, vessel characteristics, address, phone, and permit information will be released via a NOAA Fisheries website. All other data submitted will be handled as confidential material in Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the PRA, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. OMB#0648-0202 Expires October 31, 2022

National Marine Fisheries Service / Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office

^{Owner Form}

 Completion of this form is required with each application for a Greater Atlantic Federal Vessel or

Dealer permit.

 List all persons who have an ownership interest in the business that is the subject of this application.

 Owners or persons who have an ownership interest in a business are defined as and include, but are not limited to, corporations, partnerships, LLCs, persons who are shareholders in a corporation, persons who have formed a partnership (general or limited), and any other entities that have ownership interest in the business.

Section A – Dealer or Vessel name and Federal Permit Number. If this application is for a new or initial permit, then leave permit number blank.

Dealer or Vessel Name: Permit Number:

USCG documentation or State Registration Number (Vessel Permit Applicants):

Section B ‐ All persons who have an ownership interest in the business must be listed below. Do not include employees of the business unless they are also an owner or shareholder.

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

^{Additional space provided on the back of this form to list all persons with an ownership interest in the business.}

I, the undersigned, am the owner or legally authorized agent of the owner of the business named in Section A above. I affirm, subject to the penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001, that all information that I have given in obtaining this permit is true and correct. OMB# 0648‐0202 Expires 10/31/2022

Name of Applicant (print clearly)

Signature of Applicant

Date

Page 2 ‐ Section B Continued ‐ All persons who have an ownership interest in the business must be listed below. Do not include employees of the business unless they are also an owner or shareholder.

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

_{Mr/Mrs/Ms First Name Middle Name Last Name Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc}

Check all that apply - Owner Officer Shareholder

I, the undersigned, am the owner or legally authorized agent of the owner of the business named in Section A above. I affirm, subject to the penalties provided in 18 U.S.C. 1001, that all information that I have given in obtaining this permit is true and correct. OMB# 0648‐0202 Expires 10/31/2022

Name of Applicant (print clearly)

Signature of Applicant

Date

Please copy this form as needed to provide information on all persons with an ownership interest in the business in Section A.

National Marine Fisheries Service

_{Initial Vessel Application}

Instructions for Greater Atlantic Federal Fishing Vessel Permits

Enclosed are the instructions for completing the Initial Fishing Vessel Application for Federal Greater Atlantic fishing permits. This package contains definitions for each field on the application, the additional documents required for a complete application, and a brief definition of the fishery permits. These instructions do not contain all the regulatory provisions that pertain to each fishery, and are not a substitute for the regulations. A copy of the regulations can be obtained through NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service web site: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/region/new-england-mid-atlantic If you have further questions, please contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315.

Please read and follow the application instructions carefully. Failure to provide all required information and additional documentation will result in the application being returned to you for completion. You cannot fish without a current and valid permit.

Walk-in application processing service is not available. There is a 30-day processing period for all application packages. This 30-day processing period begins when a correct and complete application package is received in the Northeast Region Permit Office. Questions? Please call 978-282-8438 for further information.

Where to send your completed application: (email, fax or mail)

Fax completed forms to:   (978) 281‐9161 

or

Mail completed forms to:   NMFS Permit Office 55 Great Republic Drive Gloucester, MA  01930

or

Email scanned forms to: [email protected]

_{Section 1 - Vessel and Owner Information (all items must be filled in)}

Vessel Name

_{Current name of vessel, or enter “unnamed” if not applicable.}

Owner Name

Include the owner name (business name or person name) exactly as it appears on the United States Coast Guard Documentation, State Registration, or Title of Vessel Ownership. If your vessel's state registration does not list all owners of the vessel, also provide a copy of the vessel's title, or other documentation from the appropriate state agency that identifies all vessel owners. If a company, LLC, or partnership owns the vessel, you must provide the full name of all owners and shareholders in the business.

Address, Telephone Number and Email Address

Provide primary address and include 4-digit addition to zip code (if known). Also provide area code and phone number (additional phone numbers may be provided).

U.S. Coast Guard Documentation or State Registration Number

Provide United States Coast Guard Documentation Number or State Registration for your vessel. A copy of the USCG Documentation or State Registration is also required_.

Home Port

City and State where vessel is moored

Principal Port

_{City and State where the majority of your landings occur}

Section 2 - Additional Vessel Information

_{(Except where noted, all items on must be completed)}

Vessel length: Overall length in feet

Crew Size: Average number of crew, including the captain

Gross Tonnage: As recorded on US Coast Guard Documentation or estimated gross tonnage for state registered vessels

_{Year Built: Year vessel was built}

Main Engine HP: Vessel engine horsepower

_{Fish Hold Capacity: Measured to the nearest 100 pounds}

Dredge Size: Dredge size in feet (not required if vessel does not use dredge gear)

Number of Dredges: Total number of dredges aboard the vessel (not required if vessel does not use dredge gear)

_{Pump Horsepower: This item applies to surf clam/ocean quahog vessels only}

_{Construction: 1=Wood, 2=Fiberglass, 3=Steel, 4=Other (Circle applicable number)}

Propulsion: 1=Gasoline, 2=Diesel, 3=Other (Circle applicable number)

Charter Passengers: Number of charter/party/headboat passengers the vessel is licensed to carry (see page 3 for additional documents required)

_{Section 3 - Fishery Information}

Except as noted for limited access fisheries, circle a fishery category. Refer to Northeast Fisheries Regulations for further information.

Category

For each fishery you want to apply for, select the category that best describes your fishing operations, and circle the category numbers or letters in the column marked “Category”. A description of Northeast fisheries permits and categories is contained in this document on pages 4 – 10.

_{Section 4 – Signature of Owner or Authorized Agent}

Sign and date the form. Unsigned, or otherwise incomplete applications, will be returned. Your signature is an affirmation that, under penalty of perjury, all the information provided in order to obtain this permit is true and correct. Submitting false information in connection with an application could subject you to criminal/civil penalties or permit sanctions [18 U.S.C. 1001].

_{Additional Documents Required}

USCG Documentation/State Registration

With each application, submit a copy of your current (not expired) United States Coast Guard (USCG) Certificate of Documentation. If the vessel is not documented, send a copy of a valid (not expired) state vessel registration for the vessel. Do not send your original.

_{We cannot accept a bill of sale or an application for renewal of the USCG Documentation.}

If your vessel's state registration does not list all owners of the vessel, also provide a copy of the vessel's title, or other documentation from the appropriate state agency that identifies all vessel owners. A permit application will not be accepted if the vessel registration or documentation has expired before we receive it.

Business/Corporate Information

If the vessel is owned by a business, corporation, LLC, or a partnership, the following information must be submitted with the application form:

_{• A copy of the Certificate of Incorporation/Organization with the initial application.}

• Partnerships must submit a copy of the partnership agreement each year which includes the full name and current mailing address of each partner.

Owner/Shareholder Information via the Vessel Ownership Form

All applicants must attach a completed NMFS vessel ownership form listing and identifying all owners and officers. Applicants must provide the full name of each owner and officer regardless of their percentage ownership in the vessel.

Charter/Party/Headboat Vessels

If you are applying for a charter/party/headboat permit, submit a valid copy (not expired)

_{of at least one of the following:}

• State license showing the vessel is authorized to carry charter/party passengers.

_{• US Coast Guard Documentation showing vessel is documented for “Coastwise” trade.}

_{• US Coast Guard license to operate or navigate passenger-carrying vessels.}

Gillnet Vessels applying for Limited Access NE Multispecies and Monkfish

If applying for a NE multispecies category A, E, or F permit with the intention of fishing with gillnet gear, you must complete sections 1 and 3 of the NMFS Gillnet Form. If you wish to order gillnet tags for either the NE multispecies or monkfish gillnet fishery, you must also submit a completed NMFS Gillnet Form.

Description of Northeast Fisheries Permits – Categories Are Shaded

• Atlantic Sea Scallop

Limited Access Permit Categories: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held them or to approved replacements of such vessels. All permits issued will be valid for the entire fishing year. A vessel owner has 45 days from the first effective date of the permit within a permit year to make a change to the limited access Sea Scallop permit category. Further restrictions may apply. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

2*	Full-Time: This category is limited to dredge gear where the combined width in use or in possession does not exceed 31 feet.
3*	Part-Time: This category is limited to dredge gear where the combined width in use or in possession does not exceed 31 feet.
4	Occasional: This category is limited to dredge gear where the combined width in use or in possession does not exceed 31 feet.
5*	Full-Time Small Dredge: Category 3 (Part-Time) vessel may elect this category for the entire year if the vessel uses one dredge no larger than 10.5 ft. and with no more than five people on board. This category is limited to dredge gear only.
6*	Part-Time Small Dredge: Category 4 (Occasional) vessel may elect this category for the entire year if the vessel uses 1 dredge no larger than 10.5 ft. and with no more than five people on board. This category is limited to dredge gear only.
7*	Full-Time: Authorized to use trawl nets: This category is authorized to use bottom trawl nets to fish for scallops under a scallop DAS.
8*	Part-Time: Authorized to use trawl nets: This category is authorized to use bottom trawl nets to fish for scallops under a scallop DAS.
9	Occasional: Authorized to use trawl nets: This category is authorized to use bottom trawl nets to fish for scallops under a scallop DAS.

* An approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is required as a condition of this permit.

Limited Access General Category (LAGC) Scallop permit categories: These permits may only be issued to qualified vessels or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations. Owners of vessels issued an NGOM or Incidental scallop permit shall have one opportunity each fishing year to request a change in its permit category by submitting an application within 45 days of the effective date of the vessel's permit. After that date, the vessel must remain in that permit category for the duration of the fishing year.

A*	LAGC – Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ permit)
B*	LAGC – Northern Gulf of Maine (NGOM permit)
C*	LAGC – Incidental Catch (Incidental permit)

* An approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is required as a condition of this permit.

VMS Information

For further information on the Greater Atlantic Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program, please go to this link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/noaa-fisheries-type-approved-vms-units

• Northeast Multispecies

“Regulated” species (NE multispecies requiring regulated mesh): Cod, haddock, yellowtail flounder, pollock, redfish (ocean perch), winter flounder (blackback), American plaice (dab), witch flounder (grey sole), windowpane flounder (sand dab), white hake, Atlantic halibut, and Atlantic wolffish. Other NE multispecies: Silver hake (whiting), red hake (ling), offshore hake, and ocean pout.

Limited Access Permit Categories: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held them or to approved replacements of such vessels. A vessel owner has 45 days from the first effective date of his/her permit within a permit year to make a change to the NE multispecies permit category. Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

A*	Day-at-Sea (DAS): This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
C	Small Vessel Exemption (less than or equal to 30 feet): This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
D*	Hook Gear: (Vessels in this category may not change category) This category is limited to handlines, rod and reel, tub trawl and longlines gear only.
E*	Combination Vessels: This category includes all gear types except dredge gear and is only applicable for vessels that have a limited access scallop permit. Vessels in this category may not change category.
F*	Large Mesh Individual DAS: Category A (Individual DAS) or E (Combination) vessels may elect this category for the entire year provided the vessels meet the following requirements. Category A DAS for vessels fishing under this permit category will be increased by 36%. These vessels must fish with either gillnets or trawl nets having a minimum of 8.5-inch square or diamond mesh when fishing in the Gulf of Maine, Georges Bank, or Southern New England Regulated Mesh Areas, and 7.5-inch diamond or 8.0-inch square mesh when fishing in the Mid-Atlantic Regulated Mesh Area.
HA **	Handgear A: This category is limited to rod and reel, handline or tub trawl gear only. Vessels may not change category.

* An operational VMS is required to be on board the vessel to fish for groundfish under a NE multispecies DAS or on a sector trip.

** A Handgear A vessel in the common pool must declare its trips using the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, unless it intends to fish in more than one broad stock area (BSA) on a single trip, in which case, it would need a VMS unit to declare its trips.

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

HB	Handgear B: This category includes rod and reel, handline or tub trawl gear only.
I	Charter/Party: The vessel may possess and land multispecies in the EEZ when carrying passengers for hire (See page 3, additional documents required). This category is limited to rod and reel and handline gear only.
J	Scallop Multispecies Possession Limit: The vessel may possess and land up to 300 lb of regulated species while fishing under a scallop DAS. Vessel must have a Limited Access Scallop Permit (Categories 2 – 9) to qualify for this category.
K	Open Access Multispecies: The vessel may participate in an exempted fishing program to fish for small-mesh multispecies such as silver hake (whiting), red hake (ling), or offshore hake, among other species. This category includes all gear types.

• Monkfish

Limited Access Permit Categories: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

A	Vessels may elect this category if they do not possess a limited access multispecies (with the exception of a Handgear A) permit or a limited access scallop permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
B	Vessels may elect this category if they do not possess a limited access multispecies (with the exception of a Handgear A) permit or a limited access scallop permit, and that are less than 51 Gross Registered Tons (GRT) and do not qualify for a Category A permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
C	Vessels may elect this category if they possess a limited access multispecies permit or a limited access scallop permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
D	Vessels may elect this category if they possess a limited access multispecies permit or a limited access scallop permit, and are less than 51 GRT and do not qualify for a Category C permit. This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.
F*	Offshore Fishery Program: Vessels may elect this category if they are eligible for monkfish limited access permit categories A, B, C, or D and have an operational Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) installed on the vessel. Monkfish permit category A, B, C, and D vessels may opt into this program for an entire fishing year, which begins on May 1 and ends on April 30. The request to opt into the offshore fishery must be completed within 45 days of the effective date of the monkfish permit. Vessels in this program are restricted to fishing under a monkfish Days At Sea during the specified season of October 1–April 30 each year and within the Offshore Fishery Program Area. This category includes all gear types except dredge gear.

* An approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is required as a condition of this permit.

Limited Access Permit Categories for Vessels Fishing in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA) – Vessels issued a limited access Category H permit are restricted to fishing under a monkfish DAS in the monkfish SFMA.

H	Vessels may elect this category if they were issued permits in this category in the previous fishing year and that did not qualify for a category G permit. This category includes all gear types.

Area Declaration: Please note that vessels without an operational VMS unit fishing exclusively in the Northern Fishery Management Area (NFMA) for monkfish must request a SFMA Exemption Certificate in order to be exempt from the more restrictive management measures of the SFMA. Contact the Permit Office at 978-282-8438.  Vessels with an operational VMS unit must declare the appropriate code to indicate they intend to fish exclusively in the NFMA.

Open Access Permit Categories: This permit may be issued to any vessel not issued a monkfish limited access permit—to fish for, possess, or land monkfish. Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

E	Incidental Catch: Allows a vessel to possess and land a limited amount of monkfish, depending on fishing year, area fished, and gear fished. For specific limit amounts, contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at 978-281-9315. This category includes all gear types.

• Surfclam/Ocean Quahog/Maine Mahogany Quahog

Surfclam and ocean quahog vessels, as well as Maine mahogany quahog vessels, are required to have an operational vessel monitoring system (VMS) on board their vessel. For open access surfclam and ocean quahog vessels, VMS installation and operation must be verified prior to issuance of the permit. Maine mahogany quahog permitted vessels are not required to install a VMS unit until they fish for, land, take, possess, or transfer ocean quahogs under a limited access Maine mahogany quahog permit. For more information on VMS requirements, call 978-281-9315. 

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

1*	Surfclam: The vessel may fish for surfclams. This category is limited to dredge gear only. VMS required.
6*	Ocean Quahog: The vessel may fish for ocean quahogs. This category is limited to dredge gear only. VMS required.

To possess and land surfclams or ocean quahogs from the EEZ, an allocation of quota is required.

Limited Access Permit Categories: This permit may only be issued to vessels that have previously held it or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

7*	Maine Mahogany Quahog: The vessel may harvest and land ocean quahogs without an allocation from the EEZ in the area north of 43° 50´N. latitude. This category is limited to dredge gear only.

* An approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is required as a condition of this permit.

• Summer Flounder (Fluke)

Limited Access Permit Categories: This permit may only be issued to vessels that have previously held it or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

1	Summer Flounder Commercial Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

2	Charter/Party: May fish for or possess summer flounder in the EEZ while carrying passengers for hire. This category includes all gear types.

• Scup (Porgy)

Limited Access Permit Categories: This permit may only be issued to vessels that have previously held it or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

1	Scup Commercial Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

2	Charter/Party: May fish for or possess scup in the EEZ while carrying passengers for hire. This category includes all gear types.

• Black Sea Bass

Limited Access Permit Categories: This permit may only be issued to vessels that have previously held it or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

1	Black Sea Bass Commercial Moratorium: This category includes all gear types.

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

2	Charter/Party: May fish for or possess black sea bass in the EEZ north of 35º 15.3´ N. latitude while carrying passengers for hire. This category includes all gear types.

• Mid-Atlantic Forage Fish Species

To fish for, land or possess Mid-Atlantic forage species (see list below) in or from Federal waters (EEZ) from New York through North Carolina, your vessel must be issued any of the Greater Atlantic Region fishing vessel permits.  Please contact us at (978) 281-9315 if you have any questions about the regulations for forage species.

Mid-Atlantic Forage Species include the following:

Anchovies	Greeneyes	Sand lances
Argentines	Halfbeaks	Scaled sardine
Atlantic saury	Lanternfish	Silversides
Atlantic thread herring	Pearlsides	Spanish sardine
Cusk-eels	Round herring	Pelagic molluscs
Copepods, krill, amphipods, and other species less than 1 inch as an adult

• Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish

Limited Access Permit Categories: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. A vessel must be issued any of the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish limited access or open access permits to possess and land Atlantic chub mackerel. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

1A*	Longfin Squid Moratorium Tier 1: May fish commercially in the EEZ for unlimited amounts of longfin squid, unless the fishery is closed. This category includes all gear types.
1B*	Longfin Squid Moratorium Tier 2: May fish commercially in the EEZ for up to 5,000 lb of longfin squid, unless the fishery is closed. This category includes all gear types.
1C	Longfin Squid Moratorium Tier 3: May fish commercially in the EEZ for up to 2,500 lb of longfin squid, unless the fishery is closed. This category includes all gear types.
5*	Illex Squid Moratorium: May fish commercially in the EEZ for unlimited amounts of Illex squid, unless the fishery is closed. This category includes all gear types.
T1*	Atlantic Mackerel Tier 1: May fish commercially in the EEZ for unlimited amounts of mackerel, unless the fishery is closed. This category includes all gear types.
T2*	Atlantic Mackerel Tier 2: May fish commercially in the EEZ for up to 135,000 lb of mackerel per trip, unless the fishery is closed. This category includes all gear types.
T3*	Atlantic Mackerel Tier 3: May fish commercially in the EEZ for up to 100,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel per trip, unless the fishery is closed. This category includes all gear types. Vessels issued Tier 3 permits will be limited to no more than 7% of the annual commercial quota.
6*	Butterfish Moratorium: May fish commercially in the EEZ for unlimited amounts of butterfish. This category includes all gear types.

* An approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is required as a condition of this permit.

VMS Information

For further information on the Greater Atlantic Region Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) Program, please go to this link: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/national/enforcement/noaa-fisheries-type-approved-vms-units

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. A vessel must be issued any of the Squid, Mackerel, and Butterfish limited access or open access permits to possess and land Atlantic chub mackerel. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

2	Squid/Mackerel/Butterfish Charter/Party: May fish for or possess unlimited amounts of Longfin or Illex squid, Atlantic chub mackerel, Atlantic mackerel, or butterfish in the EEZ while carrying passengers for hire. This category includes all gear types.
3	Squid/Butterfish Incidental Catch: May fish commercially in the EEZ for up to 250 lb of Longfin squid per trip, 10,000 lb of Illex squid per trip, or 600 lb of butterfish per trip if not also issued a moratorium permit for either of these species. This category includes all gear types.
4	Atlantic Mackerel Incidental Catch: May commercially fish in the EEZ for up to 20,000 lb of Atlantic mackerel or an unlimited amount of Atlantic chub mackerel. This category includes all gear types.

Note: Atlantic mackerel at-sea processing vessels must apply for a permit as a dealer/processor.

• Incidental Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Squid Trawl

Limited Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fisheries Regulations.

1	Incidental Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Squid Trawl Permit: Allowed only for vessels issued a valid Illex Squid Moratorium permit. Authorizes the limited retention of incidentally-caught swordfish. This category only includes trawl gear.

• Atlantic Bluefish

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

1	Commercial: May possess or harvest Atlantic bluefish from the EEZ using any gear type.
2	Charter/Party: May fish for or possess Atlantic bluefish from the EEZ while carrying passengers for hire. This category includes all gear types.

• Tilefish

Open Access Permit Categories: Includes both Blueline and Golden tilefish. Commercial permit holders in the golden tilefish fishery wishing to exceed the incidental possession limit must also hold an Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) Allocation Permit.  Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations for further restrictions.

1

Open Access Commercial/Incidental: Golden tilefish: May possess or land golden tilefish in or from the EEZ, north of the VA/NC border. The commercial/incidental trip limit, for vessels that possess a Commercial / Incidental Tilefish Permit without an IFQ Allocation Permit, is 500 lb or 50 percent, by weight, of all fish, including the golden tilefish, onboard the vessel, whichever is less. Fish must have head and fins attached, but may be gutted. Any vessel fishing under an IFQ Allocation Permit is prohibited from discarding golden tilefish and all golden tilefish landed on a given trip count against the IFQ Allocation Permit's quota. This category includes all gear types. Blueline tilefish: May possess or land blueline tilefish in or from the EEZ, north of the VA/NC border, up to 500 lb whole weight, per trip. Fish must have head and fins attached, but may be gutted. This category includes all gear types.

2

Open Access Charter/Party: May fish for or possess blueline or golden tilefish in the EEZ, north of the VA/NC border, while carrying passengers for hire.

• Atlantic Herring

Limited Access Permit Categories: These permits may only be issued to qualified vessels or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

A*	All Areas: Authorizes the harvest of herring in any management area, without being subject to possession limits during the time when the sub-annual catch limit (ACL) in the defined management area has not been reached. This category includes all gear types.
B*	Areas 2/3: Authorizes the harvest of herring only in Areas 2 or 3, without being subject to possession limits during the time when the sub-ACL in the defined management area has not been reached. This category includes all gear types.
C*	Incidental Catch: Authorizes the harvest of up to 55,000 lb of herring in any management area during the time when the sub-ACL in the defined management area has not been reached, with a limit of one landing per calendar day. This category includes all gear types.

* All vessels applying for and issued a limited access herring permit, with the exception of fixed gear (weirs and stop seines) fishermen, must install and maintain an operable VMS unit, and comply with all VMS notification and reporting requirements. Such vessels may power down the VMS unit when in port, but must re-power the VMS unit and enter an appropriate trip designation prior to leaving port.

Open Access Atlantic Herring Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

D

Open Access: Authorizes the harvest of up to 6,600 lb of herring in any management area during the time when the sub-ACL in these management areas has not been reached, with a limit of one landing per calendar day. This category includes all gear types.

E*

Open Access Areas 2/3: Authorizes a vessel to possess up to 20,000 lb of herring per trip, limited to one landing per calendar day, in or from Herring Management Areas 2 and 3. Allowed only for vessels issued a valid limited access mackerel permit but not a limited access herring permit. A vessel may hold both the All Areas Open Access Herring Permit (Category D) and the new Category E permit at the same time. This category includes all gear types.

* An approved Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) is required as a condition of this permit.

• Skate

Northeast Skate Complex (Skate) - The following species of skates comprise the NE skate complex and are included under the Federal skate permit: Winter skate; barndoor skate; thorny skate; smooth skate; little skate; clearnose skate; and rosette skate.

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

1	General: May commercially fish for, possess, or land skate caught in or from the EEZ. This category includes all gear types.

• Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab

Limited Access Permit Categories: These permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held them or to approved replacements of such vessels. Further restrictions may apply to this category. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

B	This category is limited to pots and traps gear only.
C	This category is limited to pots and traps gear only.

Open Access Permit Categories: This permit may be issued to any vessel not issued a red crab limited access permit—to fish for, possess, or land red crab in or from the EEZ.

A	May possess or land red crab in or from the EEZ up to 500 lb per trip. This category includes all gear types.

• Spiny Dogfish

Open Access Permit Categories: Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations.

1	General: May commercially fish for, possess, or land spiny dogfish caught in or from the EEZ. This category includes all gear types.

• American Lobster and Jonah Crab

A vessel must be issued an American lobster permit in order to possess and land Jonah crab.

American lobster permits may only be issued to vessels that have previously held them or to approved replacements of such vessels. If eligible, you may select more than one category. Note, if you designate more than one category, you will be subject to the most restrictive management measures, including trap allocations, of all of the categories selected.

A vessel owner has 45 days from the first effective date of his/her permit within a permit year to make a change to the American Lobster permit category. Further restrictions may apply to specific categories. Refer to Greater Atlantic Fisheries Regulations at 50 CFR 697.

Limited Access Permit Categories:

1	Commercial Non-Trap: May harvest lobster in the EEZ. This category includes all gear types except pots and traps. If you plan to fish with non-trap gear only, you are not required to elect trap gear areas.
2	Charter/Party Non-Trap: May harvest lobster in the EEZ while carrying passengers for hire. This category includes all gear types except pots and traps.
A1	Commercial Trap Gear Area 1: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 1. This category is limited to pots and traps gear only. Must have Area1 trap gear eligibility.
A2	Commercial Trap Gear Area 2: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 2. This category is limited to pots and traps gear only. Must have a valid historic allocation to elect this area. Includes Area 2/3 overlap.
A3	Commercial Trap Gear Area 3: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 3. This category is limited to pots and traps gear only. Must have a valid historic allocation to elect this area. Includes Area 2/3 overlap.
A4	Commercial Trap Gear Area 4: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 4. This category is limited to pots and traps gear only. Must have a valid historic allocation to elect this area.
A5	Commercial Trap Gear Area 5: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 5. This category is limited to pots and traps gear only. Must have a valid historic allocation to elect this area.
A6	Commercial Trap Gear Area 6: May harvest lobster in Federal Lobster Management Area 6. Vessel owner must possess a valid CT or NY state lobster license to be eligible for this category. This category is limited to pots and traps gear only.
AOC	Commercial Trap Gear Outer Cape Area: May harvest in Outer Cape Federal Lobster Management Area. This category is limited to pots and traps gear only. Must have a valid historic allocation to elect this area.

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Public reporting burden for the collection of information on the initial vessel application is estimated to average 45 minutes per response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing the information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or suggestions for reducing this burden to: National Marine Fisheries Service, Permit Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. The Paperwork Reduction Act requires that potential respondents for a fishing vessel permit be notified of certain information regarding their rights and the burden associated with applying for Federal fisheries permits.

One of the regulatory steps taken by the National Marine Fisheries Service to carry out its conservation and management objectives is the requirement of a permit for users of the resources. All the fisheries included on this application require a permit to fish for or retain these species in or from the EEZ. Section 303(b)(1) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act specifically recognizes the need for permit issuance. The purpose and use of these permits are to: (1) Register industry participants and fishing vessels; (2) list the characteristics of fishing vessels; (3) exercise influence over compliance; (4) provide a mailing list for the dissemination of important information to the industry; (5) register participants to be considered for limited access; and (6) provide a pool of participants for data collection samples. Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. Owner names, vessel characteristics, address, phone, and permit information will be posted on a public NOAA Fisheries website or released upon request. All other data submitted will be handled in accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fishery Statistics and Section 402(b) of the MSA.

OMB# 0648-0202 Expires: 10/31/2022