Federal Permit and Reporting Requirements for For-Hire Fishing Vessels

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We are reminding owners and captains of for-hire fishing vessels (party and charter) about federal permit and reporting requirements when fishing in federal waters (3 - 200 nautical miles). Permit Requirements If you are fishing in federal waters for one of the species listed below and you are carrying passengers for hire, you must have a valid Greater Atlantic Region Vessel Charter/Party Permit.​ Summer Flounder, Black Sea Bass, Scup Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, Butterfish Golden/Blueline Tilefish (North of the North Carolina/Virginia border) Bluefish Chub Mackerel (North of the South Carolina/North Carolina border as of January 2020) Lobster New England Groundfish (includes cod, haddock, pollock, hakes, and flounders) Exception: If you have a Northeast Multispecies Limited Access Permit, you do not need the Northeast Multispecies Charter/Party Permit to carry passengers for hire on groundfish trips.​ Reporting Requirements Once you have a federal charter/party permit, you must report your catch. As of March 12, 2018, vessels issued a charter/party permit for a Mid-Atlantic managed fishery (summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, mackerel, squid, butterfish, spiny dogfish, bluefish, and tilefish) are required to submit electronic vessel trip reports within 48 hours for all trips carrying passengers for hire. All other current reporting requirements remain in effect.​