Permits

Permits enable the public to engage in legitimate activities that would otherwise be prohibited by law. Permit programs ensure that such activities are carried out in a way that safeguards the animals and environment that are the subject of the activities, or that might be incidentally affected. Some permits promote conservation efforts by authorizing scientific research, enhancement, and/or allowing management activities to go forward.

This page gives an overview of the following permits, with links to more detailed information:

Endangered Species Act (ESA) Permits	Groundfish Limited Entry Permit (LEP)
Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Permits	Sablefish-Endorsed Limited Entry Permit (LEP)
Authorizations and Permits for Federally Protected Species (APPS)	High Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA) Permit
Scientific Research Permit (SRP)	Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP)
Letter of Authorization (LOA)	Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Permit
Other Information	Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Permit

Endangered Species Act (ESA) Permits – The Endangered Species Act provides for NOAA Fisheries Service to permit activities that may impact listed species. ESA Section 10 allows NOAA Fisheries Service to issue permits for direct take and "incidental take." Incidental take means the action involved is incidental to, and not the purpose of, an otherwise lawful activity. Incidental take/Section 10(a)(1)(B) permits may be issued for scientific research, habitat conservation plans (HCPs), artificial propagation programs, and harvest management programs. Direct take means the listed species is the subject of the proposed activity. Direct take/Section 10(a)(1)(A) permits may be issued for scientific purposes or to enhance the propagation or survival of listed species.

• ESA Section 10 Permits for Scientific Research
• ESA Section 10 incidental take permits for habitat conservation plans
• ESA Section 10 Permits for Fishery Harvest Programs
• ESA Section 10 Permits for Operation of Artificial Propagation Programs

Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) Permits – The Northwest Region reviews marine mammal permits and authorizations submitted to NOAA Fisheries Service.

NOAA Fisheries Service authorizations and permits for federally-protected species (APPS) - For more information, visit the NMFS APPS website.

Groundfish Limited Entry Permit (LEP) – The Pacific Coast Groundfish Limited Entry Permit authorizes the holder to participate in the Federal limited entry groundfish fishery in waters off of Washington, Oregon, and California. NOAA Fisheries no longer issues new LEPs. To enter the groundfish LEP fishery, you must either purchase or lease an existing LEP. For more information on Groundfish LEPs, including transfer, annual renewal, and current list of permit holders, see the Pacific Coast Groundfish Limited Entry Permits page.

Sablefish-Endorsed Limited Entry Permit – Some Groundfish LEPs have a sablefish endorsement, which allows the holder to participate in the primary sablefish fishery with fixed gear (longline and/or pot gear) that runs from April to October each year. NOAA Fisheries no longer issues new sablefish endorsements. To enter the primary sablefish fishery, you must either purchase or lease an existing Groundfish LEP with a sablefish endorsement. Under the Sablefish Permit Stacking Program, a vessel owner may register as many as three sablefish-endorsed LEPs for use with a single vessel to harvest each of the primary season cumulative limits associated with the stacked permits. For more information on the Sablefish Permit Stacking Program, including Owner-on-Board requirements and permit ownership restrictions, see the Sablefish Permit Stacking Program page.

Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) – EFPs are issued by NOAA Fisheries to allow limited fishing that would otherwise be prohibited. EFP applications must be submitted to the Pacific Fishery Management Council

(PFMC) for review before the June meeting each year. For more information on EFPs, including example projects, eligibility requirements, and application procedures, see the Exempted Fishing Permit page. For more information on the 2007 Pacific Whiting shore-based fishery EFP, see the Whiting Management page.

Scientific Research Permit (SRP) – An SRP is required for NOAA Fisheries controlled scientific research. Only Fisheries research entities, those using NOAA-funded grants to conduct all or part of their research, and research conducted on vessels controlled by NOAA or the Fisheries Service are eligible to apply for SRPs. To ensure you meet the eligibility requirements and to get application information, contact srp.nwr@noaa.gov. All other individuals or entities are ineligible to apply for SRPs, but are encouraged to request a Letter of Authorization when conducting scientific research off the West Coast that may impact groundfish.

Letter of Authorization (LOA) for Scientific Research – NOAA Fisheries encourages persons or entities conducting scientific research activities off the West Coast to request an LOA from the Regional Administrator. This includes federal, state, academic, and privately funded scientific research activities, and does not include NOAA Fisheries controlled scientific research (see SRP). For more information on requesting an LOA, see the Letter of Authorization for Scientific Research page.

High Seas Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA) Permit – The High Seas Fishing Compliance Act requires that all commercial fishing vessels of United States registry have a permit to fish on the high seas (seaward of 200 nautical miles). The permit is valid for five years. For more information on HSFCA permits, see the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act Permit page.

West Coast Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Permit – The NOAA Fisheries Service Southwest Region issues West Coast HMS permits. An HMS permit authorizes fishing for the following species: billfish/swordfish, sharks, tunas (including Albacore tuna), and other highly migratory species. Note that you may also need a High Seas Fishing Compliance Act Permit if you are fishing seaward of 200 nautical miles. See the Southwest Region website for more information on HMS permits.

Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Permit – The NOAA Fisheries Service Southwest Region issues CPS permits for the West Coast. See the Southwest Region website for more information on CPS permits.

Other Information:

State fishing permits - West Coast State fish and wildlife agencies issue fishing permits for many fisheries, including salmon, Dungeness crab and pink shrimp. These agencies also issue commercial fishing delivery licenses, which are required to land fish catches in a particular state. For more information, please see the websites listed below:
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
California Department of Fish and Game