NOAA Fisheries Service implemented conservation and management measures for the Pacific Coast commercial groundfish fishery on Jan. 1, 1993. The agency instituted a license limitation program for the commercial groundfish fishery based on the issuance of federal fishing permits. This limited entry program was designed to control the capacity of the groundfish fishing fleet by limiting the number of fishing vessels, limiting the number of vessels using each of the three specified gear types (trawl, trap/pot, longline), and limiting increases in harvest capacity by limiting vessel length.

An individual must have a federal limited entry permit to participate in this fishery off the coasts of Washington, Oregon, and California. Individuals seeking to participate in the LEP groundfish industry must buy or lease an existing permit. The current number of Pacific Coast groundfish limited entry permits (LEPs) is about 400. Every two years NOAA Fisheries Service  publishes specifications for the groundfish fishery which establish catch limits and other parameters for the fishery. These notices appear in the Federal Register. The agency issues public notices throughout the year revising current management measures and specifications.

You can get more information on permit renewals, permit transfers or replacing a lost permit by clicking on the links to the left.