NOAA Fisheries Announces the
Availability of 2018 Vessel Permits for Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish General
Commercial and Atlantic HMS
This notice outlines the
procedure for obtaining the following 2018 open access permits:
 **New for
2018**
Shark Endorsement – HMS Angling or Charter/Headboat permit holders that wish to
recreationally fish for and/or retain sharks are required to add a Shark
Endorsement to their permit. To
obtain a shark endorsement, applicants must watch a short (3 minute) online
educational video on shark identification and handling, and complete a quiz (7
questions).
Charter/Headboat Commercial Endorsement – Charter/Headboat permit
holders that wish to fish commercially for HMS must add the Charter/Headboat
Commercial Endorsement to their permit.
Adding the charter/headboat commercial endorsement will subject your
vessel to US Coast Guard commercial fishing vessel safety requirements.
Permit Renewal
The permits issued for the 2018
season will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2018. The permit fee will vary between $20.00 and
$40.00 depending on the permits being applied for, and are payable by credit
card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, or American Express) or check/money
order.
 * As an alternative, you may print your permit off the
website once it has been processed (about 3 business days after your phone
renewal or your complete application, including payment, has been received)
You will need your Atlantic
tunas or your Atlantic HMS permit number to renew your permit. If your permit number from last year is not
available, you may look it up at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov
using your last name, phone number, and zip code, or a Customer Service
representative may assist at the number below. Please check your current permit
information carefully prior to renewing your permit.
Please Note: Changes
to your permit category may be made under the following circumstances:
a)
When you renew the permit for the upcoming 2017 season;
b) Within 45-calendar days from the permits’ date of
issuance, to correct any errors in permit category provided the vessel has not landed bluefin. After 45-calendar days permit categories are
locked-in.
If you have questions
regarding the permit process, our Customer Service representatives are
available at (888) 872‑8862, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Eastern Time.
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