Update to the Directed Open Access Groundfish Permit
Effective March 1, 2025
 Redbanded Rockfish, Photo Credit: Captain Harrison Ibach
NOAA Fisheries is announcing the opening of the application for the Directed Open Access Groundfish Permit program. Applications will be available through the NOAA Fisheries Pacific Coast Groundfish and Halibut Portal beginning January 15, 2025.
On January 1, 2025, NOAA Fisheries published a final rule for the 2025-26 Pacific Coast Groundfish Harvest Specifications and Management Measures (Amendment 33), which included new regulations pertaining to the directed open access groundfish fishery as defined at 50 CFR 660.11. Beginning March 1, 2025, vessels participating in the directed open access groundfish fishery in federal waters will be required to carry a directed open access groundfish (DOAG) permit.
The application portal to apply for the DOAG permit is now available online at: https://www.webapps.nwfsc.noaa.gov/apex/ifq/f?p=120:LOGIN_DESKTOP. An updated Compliance Guide to the Pacific Coast Groundfish Open Access Fishery Sector contains detailed instructions on how to apply for a DOAG permit (starting on page 14) and is available here. Applicants will need to “Create an Account” if one does not already exist. Then applicants can follow the prompts in the application portal to generate an application. A complete application consists of all required information, registration documentation (USCG Federal Documentation or State Registration Documentation), and payment of the required fee.
Please contact the West Coast Region’s Permit Branch at (206) 526-4353 or wcr-permits@noaa.gov with registration or application questions . NOAA Fisheries recommends applying for the DOAG permit at least 2 weeks prior to March 1 to allow for processing time.
Questions?
Contact Abbie Moyer, Fishery Management Specialist, email: abbie.moyer@noaa.gov or phone: (206) 305-9601. Or Keeley Kent, Groundfish Branch Chief, Keeley.Kent@noaa.gov, (206) 526-4655.
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