Application for Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP)

Revised: 01/27/2021

Application For
FEDERAL FISHERIES
PERMIT (FFP)

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) , Alaska Region
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 FFP is in effect for three years, from effective date through expiration date.
IMPORTANT NOTICES

◆

Only persons who are U.S. Citizens are authorized to receive or hold a Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP).

◆

As an FFP holder fishing in State waters, you are responsible to know whether your catch is deducted from a Federal
Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or from the State Guideline Harvest Level (GHL) and to comply with Federal fishery
requirements when your groundfish catch will be deducted from the Federal TAC. For example, if you fish for groundfish
from State waters adjacent to the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) or Gulf of Alaska (GOA)
during the Federal fishing season when directed fishing is closed to the groundfish species, your gear, or operation type
under Federal regulations and your catch of groundfish is deducted from a Federal groundfish TAC, you may be in
violation of a Federal groundfish closure. (See instructions for additional information)

◆

All applicants who plan to participate in directed fisheries for Pacific cod, pollock, and/or Atka mackerel with any gear
type other than jig gear must also complete Block D.

◆

If ownership in Block A has changed or if this is a permit application for a vessel to which an FFP has never been issued,
documentation of vessel ownership must be provided with this application. To demonstrate vessel ownership you must
provide:
●

for U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) Documented Vessels, a copy of the USCG Abstract of Title or
Certificate of Documentation.

●

for undocumented vessels, a copy of the State of Alaska vessel license or registration.

TYPE OF FFP REGISTRATION
Indicate the type of request.

□

New FFP

□

□

Renew FFP

Amend FFP

□

Surrender FFP

If this application is submitted to renew, amend, or surrender an existing FFP, please provide your current
FFP number
If you are renewing, amending, or surrendering your permit, refer to “General Information” that specifies which
sections of the application must be completed in addition to the amendments being made.

1. Owner Name:

BLOCK A -- OWNER INFORMATION
2. NMFS Person ID:

3. Business Mailing Address: LJ Permanent

5. Business Telephone No.:

LJ

6. Business Fax No.:

Temporary

4. Managing Company Name (if any):
7. Business E-Mail Address:

Application for Federal Fisheries Permit
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BLOCK B -- VESSEL INFORMATION
2. Home Port (city and state):
3. ADF&G Processor Code (if
applicable):

1. Vessel Name:
4. Is this vessel a vessel of the United
States?
YES
NO

5. USCG Documentation No.

6. ADF&G Vessel Registration No.

7. Length Overall (LOA) in feet:

8. Gross Tonnage:

9. Shaft Horsepower:

□

□

Registered Length in feet:

Net Tonnage:

BLOCK C -- PERMIT INFORMATION
1. AREA OF OPERATION Check one or both areas of operation, as appropriate.

□

Gulf of Alaska (GOA)

□

Bering Sea/Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI)

2. TYPE OF VESSEL OPERATION Indicate below the type(s) of vessel operation you request in the Federal
groundfish fishery. An FFP may be issued for any combination of catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or
tender vessel. In addition, an FFP may also be issued for a support vessel.
Check one or any combination of the following operation types that apply:

□ Catcher Vessel

□ Catcher/processor

□ Mothership

□ Tender Vessel (buying station)

A vessel permitted as a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or tender vessel may conduct all operations
authorized for a support vessel.
Or check: Support Vessel

□

A vessel permitted as a support vessel may not conduct activities as a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership,
and/or tender vessel.
3. GEAR TYPES (catcher vessels and catcher/processors only)
Check only the gear types used for groundfish fishing:
Trawl
Hook-and-line
Pots
Jig
Troll
□
□
□
□
□
Harvesting vessels (catcher vessels and catcher/processors) must complete Block D if you plan to participate in the directed

fisheries for Pacific cod, pollock and/or Atka mackerel with any gear other than jig gear.

4. GOA INSHORE PROCESSING ENDORSEMENT (Catcher/processors under 125 ft LOA only)
Catcher/processors under 125 ft LOA that wish to process GOA inshore pollock or GOA inshore Pacific cod must apply for a
GOA inshore processing endorsement by checking the box below. A catcher/processor with a GOA inshore processing
endorsement is prohibited from processing more than 126 mt of GOA pollock and GOA Pacific cod, in the aggregate, during
any reporting week. Once issued, a GOA inshore processing endorsement cannot be rescinded for the duration of a
fishing year.

□

GOA Inshore Processing Endorsement
See application instructions for further explanation.
Application for Federal Fisheries Permit
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BLOCK D -- SPECIES ENDORSEMENTS AND AMENDMENTS

□
□
□
□

◆

Indicate below whether you plan to participate in any of the following directed fisheries with gear other than
jig gear: (1) Pacific cod; (2) pollock; and (3) BSAI Atkamackerel;

◆

Your selections will remain valid until you submit a new FFP application removing those endorsements by
checking “Remove Endorsement(s)” boxes below.

◆

Vessels permitted in these fisheries must have a vessel monitoring system (VMS) operable at any time the
directed fishery is open.

◆

See the application instructions for more information on the VMS requirements
PACIFIC COD

POLLOCK

BSAI
ATKA MACKEREL

GEAR TYPE

GEAR TYPE

GEAR TYPE

Trawl
Hook-and-Line
Pot
Remove Endorsement(s)

□
□
□
□

Trawl
Hook-and-Line
Pot
Remove Endorsement(s)

□ Trawl
□ Hook-and-Line
□ Pot
□ Remove Endorsement(s)

BLOCK E -- APPLICANT SIGNATURE
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.
Applicant Name (please print or type)
Signature
Date

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 21 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 information collection, including suggestions for reducing this burden,
to NOAA, National Marine Fisheries Service, Alaska Region, Attn: Assistant Regional Administrator, Sustainable Fisheries
Division, P.O. Box 21668, Juneau, AK 99802-1668.

Application for Federal Fisheries Permit
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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: An FFP is required for vessels of the United States that are used to fish for groundfish in the Gulf of Alaska or Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands. This permit is also required for vessels used to fish for any non-groundfish species and that are required
to retain any bycatch of groundfish. These are non-transferable, 3-year permits, issued on request and without charge to vessel
owners. 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 MagnusonStevens 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 Fisheries Permit
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INSTRUCTIONS
APPLICATION FOR FEDERAL FISHERIES PERMIT (FFP)
A Federal Fisheries Permit (FFP) is required for all vessels of the United States used to fish for groundfish in the
Gulf of Alaska (GOA) or Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI) or engaged in any fishery that
requires retention of groundfish. This includes catcher vessels fishing for groundfish, catcher/processors fishing for
and processing groundfish, motherships processing groundfish, tender vessels (buying stations) tendering
groundfish, and support vessels assisting other groundfish vessels (§ 679.4).
Groundfish includes but may not be limited to: pollock, Pacific cod, sablefish, Atka mackerel, rockfish, sharks,
skates, sculpins, octopuses, squids, and any species of flatfish except Pacific halibut (§ 679.2)
Note: As an FFP holder fishing in State waters, you are responsible to know whether your catch is
deducted from a Federal Total Allowable Catch (TAC) or from the State Guideline Harvest Level
(GHL) and to comply with Federal fishery requirements when your groundfish catch will be
deducted from the Federal TAC.
For example, if you fish for groundfish from State waters adjacent to the BSAI or GOA during the
federal fishing season when directed fishing is closed to the groundfish species, your gear, or
operation type under Federal regulations and your catch of groundfish is deducted from a Federal
groundfish TAC, you may be in violation of a Federal groundfish closure. See instructions for
additional information.
NMFS uses observer data, eLandings, vessel monitoring system (VMS), and other data to determine
location and time of catch from each haul or delivery. Data on location and time of catch are combined
with information on each groundfish management program to determine what groundfish catch is deducted
from the applicable allocation for each groundfish species.
For example, the observer and eLandings data that NMFS receives identifies the State statistical
area where the catch occurred, and the date when fishing occurred. These data are linked to the
State and Federally-managed fisheries accounts to deduct the appropriate amounts of groundfish.
Generally, any groundfish caught in State waters adjacent to the BSAI or GOA during a Federal
fishing season is deducted from the Federal TAC unless it was caught while participating in the
State GHL groundfish fishery.
For information on openings and closures of Federally-managed groundfish fisheries contact
NMFS, Alaska Region, Sustainable Fisheries Division, In-Season Management at (907) 586-7228.
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)

Application for Federal Fisheries Permit
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GENERAL INFORMATION
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 vessel. Application forms and instructions are also available on the
NMFS, Alaska Region website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov.

◆

ATTACH documentation of vessel ownership if ownership listed in Block A has changed or if this is a
permit application for a vessel for which an FFP has never been issued. To demonstrate vessel ownership you
must provide:
○

For U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Documented Vessels, a copy of the USCG Abstract of Title or Certificate of
Documentation

○

For undocumented vessels, a copy of the State of Alaska vessel license or registration.

◆

Type or print legibly in ink.

◆

Retain a copy of completed application for your records.

Submit the completed application:
♦

by mail to:

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

♦

by fax to:

RAM at (907) 586-7354

♦

by hand delivery to: Federal Building
NMFS Alaska Region (RAM)
709 W. 9th Street, Suite 713
Juneau, AK 99801

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.
eLandings, eLogbooks, and Logbooks
Catcher/processors and motherships that are issued an FFP under 50 CFR part 679.4(b) must daily record and
report groundfish using a combination of daily cumulative production logbook (DCPL) and eLandings (or other
NMFS approved software) or a combination of eLogbook and eLandings. Two types of catcher/processor DCPL
are available: one if using trawl gear and one if using longline or pot gear. Two types of catcher/processor
eLogbook are available: catcher/processor trawl gear and catcher/processor longline or pot gear. For more
information on eLandings and eLogbooks, see http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/er/default.htm.
All catcher vessels that are issued an FFP under 50 CFR part 679.4(b) must use a daily fishing logbook (DFL) to
daily record and report groundfish. Two types of catcher vessel DFL are available: one if using trawl gear and one
if using longline or pot gear.

Application for Federal Fisheries Permit
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The following table shows the method of groundfish reporting for each of the groundfish operation types according
to regulations at §§ 679.4, 679.5, and 679.100.
Operation Type Versus Method of Reporting
Operation Type
CP trawl, harvesting AFA or CDQ
pollock
CP trawl, non-AFA
CP longline named on LLP with
Pacific cod hook-and-line
endorsement for the Bering Sea,
Aleutian Islands, or both the Bering
Sea and Aleutian Islands
CP longline or pot, other
Mothership
Catcher vessel, any gear

DFL

DCPL &
eLandings

X

eLogbook
&
eLandings
X
X

X
X

X

You may request that a DCPL or DFL be sent to you separately from the FFP.
◆

by website at http://alaskafisheries.noaa.gov/comment/lborderform.aspx

◆

by telephone at 907-586-7228, or

◆

by fax at 907-586-7465.

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.
Express Mail. If you would like to have your logbook sent to you by U.S. Postal Express Mail, determine
from the table below the weight and dimensions of the appropriate documents. Send NMFS an express mail
envelope with the correct amount of postage prepaid or send express mail stamps UNATTACHED to an
envelope.
NOTE: If the express mail envelope you send is too small or the postage attached is less than the amount
required, your logbook will be sent to you by regular U.S. mail.
Other Express Carriers. If you would like to have your logbook sent to you by a private express carrier,
e.g., Federal Express, UPS, DHL, etc., submit your account number and name of carrier or a prepaid envelope
with the FFP application.
Logbook Information

Catcher vessel, trawl gear DFL
Catcher vessel, longline and pot gear DFL
Catcher/processor, trawl gear DCPL
Catcher/processor, longline and pot gear DCPL
Mothership DCPL

Dimensions
(inches)
11 x 12
12 x 17
11 x 12
12 x 17
11 x 12

Application for Federal Fisheries Permit
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Weight
(lb, oz)
3.4
4.0
3.0
3.6
3.0

Additional information is available from Restricted Access Management (RAM), as follows:
Website: http://www.alaskafisheries.noaa.gov
Telephone (toll free): 800-304-4846 (press “2”)
Telephone (in Juneau): 907-586-7202 (press “2”)
E-Mail: RAM.Alaska@noaa.gov

COMPLETING THE APPLICATION
TYPE OF FFP REGISTRATION
Indicate the type of request: New FFP, Renew FFP, Amend FFP, or Surrender FFP. If this application is submitted
to renew, amend, or surrender an existing FFP, please provide your current FFP number.
NOTE: If you are surrendering your permit, complete Block A and Block B, sign the application
in Block E, and submit to NMFS.
BLOCK A -- OWNERINFORMATION
1. Name. Enter the full name(s) of the owner(s) of the vessel listed in Block B.
NOTE: If there is more than one owner, list the principal owner first. The permit will be issued to
the first owner listed, with et al. notation. The permit MUST be issued to the owner of the vessel, not
to operators or lessees.
2. NMFS Person ID.
3. Permanent Business Mailing Address. Indicate whether address is permanent or temporary. Enter your
complete permanent business mailing address, including street or P.O. Box, city, state, and zip code. Your
permit will be sent to this address, unless otherwise notified.
Temporary Business Mailing Address. Address you want the permit sent if somewhere other than to the
permanent address. Include street or P.O. Box number, city, state, and zip code.
4. Managing Company. Enter the name of the company, other than the owner, that manages the operations of
the vessel (if any).
5-7. Business Telephone No., Fax No., and e-mail Address. Enter the business telephone number and business
fax number including area code,, and business e-mail address (if available) that are used by the vessel
owner. 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.
BLOCK B -- VESSEL INFORMATION
1. Enter the complete vessel name as displayed in the official documentation.
2. Enter the home port (city and state) as recorded in official documentation.
3. Enter State of Alaska, Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) Processor Code.
4. Answer YES or NO if this vessel is a vessel of the UnitedStates.
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5. Enter U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) documentation number (example: 566722).
6. Enter the 5-digit ADF&G vessel registration number (example: 51233).
7. Enter the vessel's length overall (LOA) in feet and registered length infeet.
The LOA of a vessel means the centerline longitudinal distance, rounded to the nearest foot,
measured between:
◆

the outside foremost part of the vessel visible above the waterline, including bulwarks, but
excluding bowsprits and similar fittings or attachments, and

◆

the outside aftermost part of the vessel visible above the waterline including bulwarks, but
excluding rudders, outboard motor brackets, and similar fittings or attachments.

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.
BLOCK C -- PERMIT INFORMATION
1. Area of operation
Check one or both areas of operation (GOA or BSAI) to indicate the areas of operation for which
you are requesting.
2. Vessel Operation Categories
A vessel permitted as a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or tender vessel may conduct all
operations authorized for a support vessel. A vessel permitted as a support vessel may not conduct
activities as a catcher vessel, catcher/processor, mothership, and/or tender vessel.
Indicate one or a combination of the vessel operation categories in the groundfish fisheries for which you
are requesting.
Catcher Vessel - A vessel that is used for catching fish and that does not process fish on board.
Catcher/Processor - A vessel that is used for catching fish and processing that fish on board.
Mothership - A vessel that receives and processes groundfish from other vessels.
Tender Vessel (buying station) - A vessel that is used to transport unprocessed fish or shellfish
received from another vessel to an associated processor.
Or check:
Support Vessel - Any vessel that is used in support of other vessels regulated under 50 CFR 679,
including, but not limited to, supplying a fishing vessel with water, fuel, provisions, fishing
equipment, fish processing equipment or other supplies, or transporting processed fish. The term
“support vessel” does not include processor vessels or tender vessels.
3. Gear Type
If the FFP request is for a catcher vessel or catcher/processor, indicate the gear type(s) used for groundfish
operations.

Application for Federal Fisheries Permit
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4. GOA Inshore Processing Endorsement
An operator of a catcher/processor under 125 ft LOA that wishes to process GOA inshore pollock or
GOA inshore Pacific cod must apply for a GOA inshore processing endorsement by checking No. 4 of
Block C on the application.
NOTE: A catcher/processor with a GOA inshore processing endorsement is prohibited from processing more than
126 mt of GOA pollock and GOA Pacific cod, in the aggregate, during any reporting week.
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 a 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.
BLOCK D -- PACIFIC COD, POLLOCK, ATKA MACKEREL FISHERIES
If you plan to participate in the directed fisheries for Pacific cod, pollock, and/or Atka mackerel with any gear
other than jig gear, your FFP must be endorsed for these species in the management area(s) in which you plan to
participate.
Vessels participating in these directed fisheries in the EEZ off Alaska are required to have on board and use a
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS) while the directed fisheries are open, regardless of where the vessel is fishing at
the time (including Alaska State waters) or what the vessel istargeting.
BLOCK E -- APPLICANT SIGNATURE
The owner or authorized representative must print name, sign, and date the application certifying that all
information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his or her knowledge and belief. The application will be
considered incomplete without this signature. If authorized representative, attach authorization.

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