Operator Permits

Operator cards are required for any operator of a charter/party boat or a commercial vessel (including carrier and processor vessels) issued a vessel permit from the Northeast Region and possessing or fishing for Atlantic sea scallops, Northeast multispecies, spiny dogfish, monkfish, American lobster, Atlantic herring, Atlantic surfclam, ocean quahog, Maine Mahogany quahog, Atlantic mackerel, Loligo squid, Illex squid, butterfish, scup, black sea bass, golden tilefish, skates, Atlantic deep-sea red crab, or Atlantic bluefish, in or from the EEZ.

The operator card must be carried on board by the operator. Operator cards issued pursuant to 50 CFR 622 or 50 CFR 697.5 satisfies the permitting requirement of 50 CFR 648.5.

How to Apply

1. How to Request a Renewal Vessel Operator Permit Application be Mailed to you.
   Renewal vessel operator permit applications are pre-populated with individual operator information and mailed out 30-40 days prior to the expiration of the current vessel operator permit. If your vessel operator permit has expired you may contact the Permit Office at 978-281-9370 ext. 6437 to obtain a preprinted renewal application.

2. Request an Initial Vessel Operator Permit Application be Mailed to you.
   You may request that an initial vessel operator permit application be mailed to you from the NOAA Fisheries Northeast Region Permit Office by calling (978) 281-9370 ext. 6437. Once you receive the package, complete the application and include all supplemental documents required. Mail it to the address provided on the application. If the package is complete and correct, NOAA Fisheries will then mail your permit to you within 30 days of receiving your complete application.

3. Download an Initial Vessel Operator Permit Application. 
   You may also download an Initial Vessel Operator Permit Application from this NMFS Permit Office Web Page. The download package is an Adobe Acrobat PDF (Portable Document Format) file. Note: Instructions and application are included on the form. This form can be filled out online, but must still be printed and mailed as directed in the instructions.

Once you print the package, complete the application and include all supplemental documents required. Mail it to the address provided on the application. If the package is complete and correct, NOAA Fisheries will then mail your permit to you within 30 days of receiving your complete application.

Last Updated: December 8, 2010