Permit Application for Vessels Fishing in the Exclusive

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

Permit Application for Vessels Fishing in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) 
Greater Atlantic Region 
General Information 
If you are a new owner of a vessel or your vessel is new to our region, please review and complete 
the initial vessel application provided herein. 
Applicants with specific questions are encouraged to contact the Permit Office at (978) 282‐8438 
between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. ET or by email at: NMFS.GAR.Permits@noaa.gov.   Applicants are 
also encouraged to visit our website at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/new-england-midatlantic/resources-fishing/greater-atlantic-region-forms-and-applications-summary 
What to include with your application 
1. Signed and dated initial application;
2. Signed and dated owner form with the names of each owner and/or shareholder of the vessel and;
3. A copy of the vessel’s valid Coast Guard Documentation or State Registration.  Expired USCG
Documentation or State registrations will not be accepted.
4. If the vessel is owned by a company or LLC, include a copy of the articles of incorporation or
organization showing the members of the business.
5. If applying for a NE multispecies category A, E, or F or a limited access monkfish permit and you
intend to fish with gillnets or you need to order more tags, request a gillnet tag form.
6. If applying for a letter of authorization (LOA), complete and request an LOA Form.

If  your  application  is  not  complete  when  we  receive  it,  we  will  return  it  to  you  for  completion  or 
correction.  This will delay the issuance of your permit.  You cannot fish without an active permit. 

Where to send your completed application (email or mail) 
Mail completed forms to:   NMFS Permit Office 
55 Great Republic Drive 
Gloucester, MA  01930 

Email scanned forms to: 

NMFS.GAR.Permits@noaa.gov 

Reporting Requirements 
The owner or operator of a fishing vessel that has been issued a Greater Atlantic Region Fishing Vessel Permit 
has eVTR reporting requirements for all fishing trips taken, regardless of species targeted or waters fished. 
Federal surf clam and ocean quahog permit holders must complete clam/quahog log reports when fishing for 
those species. Vessels that are issued only an American lobster permit are not required to submit eVTRs.  For 
more information, please call the Vessel Reporting Office at (978) 281‐9246 or contact your local Port Agent
https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/contact/port-agents-greater-atlantic-region.

Federal Vessel Operator Permit  
It is the responsibility of the vessel owner to ensure that his/her vessels issued Greater Atlantic Region 
permits are operated by an individual with a valid Federal Vessel Operator Permit.  Any individual operating a 
vessel issued Greater Atlantic Federal Fishing Vessel Permit is subject to the vessel operator permit 
requirements. Vessel operators are required to report their operator permit number when completing their 
eVTRs. 
The Federal Vessel Operator Permit is a photo ID that must be carried by the operator of the vessel.  
Operator permits are issued for a 3‐year period and online renewal notices are mailed 35 to 45 days before 
the expiration of the permit.  
Be sure to keep your address up to date.  This will ensure you receive your renewal at the correct address 
and in a timely manner.  Address changes can be made by sending us a written request signed and dated by 
the owner. 
Tuna Permit Holders 
Atlantic tuna vessel permits are issued through a separate permitting system, which can be accessed by 
phone at (888) 872‐8862 (888‐USA‐TUNA) or via the Internet at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/ 
Atlantic tunas regulations can also be found on this same website, or can be answered at 978‐281‐9260. 

Sale of Your Catch Requirements 
All vessels issued a Federal Greater Atlantic Region Fishing Vessel Permit are required to sell their catch of 
federally managed species only to seafood dealers with a valid Federal Greater Atlantic Region dealer permit 
for that species.  Federally permitted vessels with Greater Atlantic Region permits may not sell their catch of 
federally managed species to persons or seafood dealers that do not have valid Federal Greater Atlantic 
Region dealer permits.   

Federal Regulations: This letter and the enclosures only summarize the legal requirements.  Please consult 
the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations whose guidance for application requirements, permit eligibilities, and 
related information will always prevail.  For a complete understanding of your obligations, consult the 
regulations at: www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/regs/fr.html or call 978‐281‐9315.  

Greater Atlantic Region Federal Fisheries Initial 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 - Vessel/Owner Information
Is this application for a vessel permit transfer?
Yes
No
If Yes, complete the vessel replacement portion of the Vessel Replacement, Upgrade, and Confirmation of Permit History Application.
Enter information in the spaces provided. All items must be completed.

Vessel Name:

Owner Name:

Mailing Address:
City:

State:

Zip:

Telephone:

CG Doc. or State Registration Num:
Home Port: City

Alternate Phone:
ST

Previously permitted Vessel Permit #

Principal Port: City

_____________(if applicable)

ST

Email address____________________________________

Section 2 - Vessel Information
Enter information in the spaces provided. All applicable items must be completed.

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: __________________________

Year Built: ____________________________

Construction: Please check

As recorded on US Coast Guard Documentation.

This item applies to surf clam/ocean quahog vesssels only.

✔

the number that applies to your vessel.

The year the vessel was built.

1 = Wood

Engine HP: _______________________
The vessel engine horsepower.

Fish Hold Capacity: __________________
Measured to the nearest 100 pounds.

2 = Fiberglass

Propulsion: Please check
1 = Gasoline

✔

3 = Steel

4 = Other

the number that applies to your vessel.

2 = Diesel

3 = Other

Processing type for limited access Illex and Longfin
vessels: Please check the number that applies to your vessel.
1 = Freezing at-sea

Signature required on back of form OMB# 0648-0202 Expires 06/30/2025

2 = Refrigerated

3 = Fresh / Iced

Section 3 – Fishery Information
Check the number or letter of the fishery category for which you are applying.
If you select a fishery category for that your vessel is not eligible for, the processing of your permit may be delayed.
See instructions for further details or call the Permit Office at (978) 282-8438.
Open Access
Categories

Fisheries
Atlantic Sea Scallop
Atlantic Sea Scallop – General
Northeast Multispecies

HB
J

Monkfish

E

Surf Clam/Ocean Quahog

1

I*
K

Limited Access Categories
Qualified Vessels Only
2
3
4
5
reset
★
6
7
8
9
A

B

A
E
A
F

C
F
B
G

C

reset

D
HA

C
H

★
reset

★

D
reset

★

6

Maine Mahogany Quahog

7

Summer Flounder

2*

1

Scup

2*

1

Black Sea Bass

2*

1

Squid, Mackerel, Butterfish

2*

3

Incidental HMS Squid Trawl

4

5

6

T1

T2

T3

reset ★

1A

1B

1C

1

Spiny Dogfish

1

Atlantic Bluefish

1

2*

Atlantic Herring

D

E

Tilefish

1

2*

Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab

A

Skate

1

A

B

B

C

American Lobster – Non Trap

1

2*

American Lobster - Trap

A1
A5

A2
A6

C

reset

A3
AOC

★

A4

* Charter/Party permit categories

Section 4 – Application Checklist & Signature
 Please include the 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 current owners/officers/partners and their addresses.
_____ All vessels: Vessel Ownership Form with each vessel application.

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 obtaining this permit is true and correct.
Print Name: ______________________________ Signature: _____________________________ Date: ____________
Public reporting burden for the collection of information on this application is estimated to average 45 minutes per response, including time for reviewing
instructions, gathering needed data and documents, and completing the application. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or suggestions for reducing
this burden to: NOAA Fisheries, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. The Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) requires that potential respondents for
this permit be notified of certain information regarding their rights and the burden associated with applying for Federal fisheries permits. 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. 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
accordance with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100, Protection of Confidential Fishery Statistics.
OMB # 0648-0202 Expires 06/30/2025

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

Check all that apply Mr/Mrs/Ms

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply Mr/Mrs/Ms

Middle Name

Middle Name

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply -

Officer

Officer
Middle Name

Owner

Officer

Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

Shareholder
Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

Shareholder
Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

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  06/30/2025 

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

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Owner

Officer

Middle Name

Owner

Officer
Middle Name

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply -

Officer

Middle Name

First Name

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply -

Officer

Middle Name

First Name

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Owner

First Name

Check all that apply -

Mr/Mrs/Ms

Middle Name

Officer

Middle Name

Owner

Officer

Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

Shareholder
Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

Shareholder

Last Name

Suffix: Jr, Sr, III, etc

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  06/30/2025 

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.