NOAA Fisheries Offer Gulf Shrimp Vessel Permit Reminder

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) reminds all shrimp vessels owners and operators who intend to fish for shrimp in Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico that they must obtain a commercial vessel permit by December 5, 2002. The rule requiring shrimp vessel permits became effective on September 6, 2002. A previous bulletin provided incorrect dates for the effective date of the rule and the date by which all vessel owners or operators must have a shrimp vessel permit in order to continue shrimping in the Federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The dates listed in this bulletin are the correct dates.

How and When to Obtain a Permit Owners and operators of shrimp vessels that intend to harvest shrimp from Federal waters in the Gulf of Mexico will need to comply with the new permit requirement by December 5, 2002. To apply for a permit, the owner or operator of a shrimp vessel should contact: Permits Office, NMFS Southeast Region 9721 Executive Center Drive N. St. Petersburg, FL 33702 Phone 727-570-5326

NOAA Fisheries has also provided copies of permit applications to local Sea Grant offices and NOAA Fisheries port agents. Completed permit applications need to be submitted at least 30 days prior to the date on which the applicant desires to have the permit made effective. Any delay in submitting a completed application could delay an applicant's receipt of the permit, and thus, preclude legal fishing for Gulf shrimp until the permit could be issued. All vessel permits will be mailed to owners, whether the applicant is an owner or an operator. An application fee of $50 will be charged to obtain an initial Federal Gulf of Mexico shrimp fishery permit. The non-transferrable permit will be valid for one year from which it is issued unless it is revoked, suspended, or modified, or if the vessel is sold. Although a permit will be issued on an annual basis, an application for its renewal will only be required every 2 years. In the interim years, renewal will be automatic for a vessel owner who has met the specific requirements for the permit. To obtain considerable recorded information about our missions, services, and management measures, call our toll free public service line at 1-866-570-5301. If the information you need is not available, leave a message, and we will return your call.