Permit owners may request a change in vessel registration, permit ownership and/or permit holders subject to requirements given in Federal Regulations (50 CFR 660.335). Permit owners must formally request these changes by submitting both a completed transfer form and their current permit to NOAA Fisheries Service, Northwest Region. Other documentation may be required depending on the nature of the transfer request.

If your transfer request involves a sablefish endorsed permit, and the resulting permit will list a business entity as the permit owner or vessel owner, you must submit an ownership interest form for the business entity. The permit transfer application form and instruction sheet, and ownership interest form, are available by clicking on the links to the left. The two forms are in a fillable format. Call the Fisheries Permit Office at 206-526-4353 if you need assistance with the forms.

In order to register a permit to another vessel, the permit owner must submit completed transfer form and current permit must be submitted to NOAA Fisheries Service before the next cumulative limit period. A copy of U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation and a recent marine survey (conducted within the last 3 years) are required if the vessel has not participated in the fishery recently. Registration of a permit to a new vessel will be effective on the first day of the next major cumulative limit period (odd-numbered months). Permit transfers that require only a change in a permit owner or a permit holder (but no change in vessel), can be submitted at any time and are effective upon approval by NOAA Fisheries Service.

Be sure to sign and date the transfer form and have it notarized before submitting it with your current permit. Please submit your transfer application at least one week in advance of the cumulative limit period in which you wish to participate in.

A permit owner may make only one change in vessel registration every calendar year.