Limited entry permit holders with sablefish endorsements are eligible to participate in the primary sablefish fishery. See the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Groundfish Fishery Management Plan at Section 11.2.6 for background information on the sablefish endorsement program. Amendment 9 to the FMP introduced the sablefish endorsement program.

Each sablefish-endorsed limited entry permit is assigned to one of three tiers, which determine the amount of sablefish that may be harvested with each permit in a particular year’s primary sablefish fishery. For background information on the sablefish tier program, see Amendment 14 to the Groundfish Fishery Management Plan.    

Federal regulations on participating in the primary sablefish fishery are in 50CFR660.372 and 660.382 (tier limits are provided here). Areas closed to fishing by limited entry fixed gear fishermen are listed in the regulations or on the Groundfish Closed Areas page. Federal regulations on permit requirements for owners or holders of limited entry permits with sablefish endorsements are in 50CFR660.334.

NOAA Fisheries requires various forms/applications to be completed to participate in the sablefish permit-stacking program. The Small Entity Compliance Guide for the Sablefish Permit-Stacking Program (PDF 290KB), describes additional forms/applications required for the various provisions implemented through the March 2, 2006, final rule. The small entity compliance guide also provides further detail on the provisions of Amendment 14, such as the owner-on-board requirement and ownership interest.