Pacific Highly Migratory Species Permits
About
Commercial fishing permits in the West Coast EEZ (California, Washington, Oregon) for Pacific highly migratory species.
Fishery Type: Open access
Harvest Type: Commercial and For-hire / Charter
Species Covered: Pacific Highly Migratory Species (50 CFR 660.702)
Logbook Requirements: Yes
Transferable: No
Expiration Date: Valid for two years, expiring on the last day of the permit holders birth month.
Fishing Area: West Coast EEZ (California, Oregon, Washington)
Vessel Monitoring System (VMS): Vessels endorsed for drift gillnet or vessels 24m or more in overall length fishing for tuna or tuna-like species must have a VMS installed.
Background
- A Pacific HMS permit is required for vessels that fish for HMS off or land HMS in the States of California, Oregon, and Washington.
- A commercial fishing vessel of the United States must be registered for use under a general HMS permit that authorizes the use of specific gear, and a recreational charter vessel must be registered for use under an HMS permit if that vessel is used to fish for HMS in the U.S. EEZ off the States of California, Oregon, and Washington; or to land or transship HMS shoreward of the outer boundary of the U.S. EEZ off the States of California, Oregon, and Washington.
- The permit must be on board the vessel and available for inspection by an authorized officer, except that if the permit was issued while the vessel was at sea, this requirement applies only to any subsequent trip.
- A permit is valid only for the vessel for which it is registered. A permit not registered for use with a particular vessel may not be used.
- Only a person eligible to own a documented vessel may be issued or may hold (by ownership or otherwise) a general HMS permit.
- A minimum of 15 days should be allowed for processing a permit application. If an incomplete or improperly completed application is filed, the applicant will be sent a notice of deficiency. If the applicant fails to correct the deficiency within 30 days following the date of notification, the application will be considered abandoned.
Additional Endorsement Requirements
Drift Gillnet
- Hold a Federal Limited Entry Drift Gillnet permit.
- Carry a valid Marine Mammal Authorization Program certificate on board the vessel.
Deep-set Longline
- Longline gear is only authorized outside of the West Coast EEZ.
- Possession of a High Seas Fishing Compliance Act permit is required.
- Hawaii Longline Limited Entry permitted vessels must obtain an HMS permit to land HMS on the West Coast.
- Carry a valid Marine Mammal Authorization Program certificate on board the vessel.
Purse Seine
Authorization on the Regional Vessel Registry.
Hook and Line (Troll/Jig, bait boat)
No additional endorsement requirements
Charter
No additional endorsement requirements
More Information
West Coast Region fishing permits
Need Help?
West Coast Region
Highly Migratory Species Permits
Email: wcr-permits@noaa.gov
Phone: (562) 980-4238