A valid West Coast Drift Gillnet limited entry permit is required for anyone using drift gillnet gear to fish for highly migratory species within the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) of California and Oregon.

Fishery Type: Limited access

Harvest Type: Commercial

Species Covered: Highly Migratory Species

Online Renewal: No

Logbook Requirements: Yes

Transferable: Yes

Expiration Date: Annual; March 31st. Renewals are due by April 30th.

Fishing Area: California and Oregon EEZ

Regulation Summary (pdf)

Background

This permit applies to individuals fishing with large-mesh (14 inch or greater stretched mesh) drift gillnet (DGN) gear. Individuals who target, retain, transship, or land fish captured with a large-mesh DGN must possess a valid Federal limited entry DGN permit. Federal limited entry DGN permits are issued to an individual, and a vessel must be specified on the permit.

• The DGN permit holder must be on board the vessel and in possession of a valid Federal limited entry DGN permit when engaged in DGN fishing activity.

• A permit holder may designate another individual to fish under their permit for up to 15 days per fishing year (April 1 to March 31 of the following year); the substitute must comply with all other Federal permitting requirements. A permit holder shall notify NOAA Fisheries of a substitution at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of the trip.

Additional Requirements

Carry a Pacific Highly Migratory Species permit endorsed for drift gillnet.

Carry a valid Marine Mammal Authorization Program certificate on board the vessel.