NOAA Fisheries is announcing the opening of the permit application period for initial issuance of limited entry deep-set buoy gear permits under qualification tier 9. 

The application period for initial issuance of deep-set buoy gear permits issued under tier 9 is February 1 through March 31, 2025.  Tier 9 permit applications will be available through the National Permits System on February 1st. 

To apply for a LE DSBG permit under tier 9 in 2025, a person must submit a complete application through the National Permits System website no later than 11:59 pm Pacific daylight time on March 31, 2025. A complete application consists of all required information, as detailed in 50 CFR 660.707(g)(12)(i). NOAA Fisheries may decline on an incomplete application. Late applications will not be accepted. 

NMFS will issue LE DSBG permits to approved applicants under tier 9 on a first come, first served basis, according to the date and time that their application was submitted through the National Permits System. NMFS will issue up to 25 permits each year. If NMFS approves more than 25 applications in a single year, the approved applicants above 25 (who were not issued a permit) will receive priority for permit issuance the following year, according to the date and time that their complete applications were received. NMFS will continue to accept applications for tier 9 permits on an annual basis during the application period, and issue up to 25 permits per year until a total of 300 LE DSBG permits are issued, unless NMFS determines that the maximum number of permits should be fewer than 300 and publishes a subsequent rulemaking.

Apply Online Here

For more information, visit the Deep-Set Buoy Gear website, or contact the West Coast Region Permits Branch at 562-980-4238 or wcr-permits@noaa.gov.