Exempted Fishing Permit Application Process in Alaska
The Alaska Regional Office has an established annual application process for Exempted Fishing Permits.
What is an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP)?
NOAA Fisheries issues an EFP to fishery participants to allow fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited by federal regulations. This could include fishing activities for limited testing, data collection, exploratory fishing, conservation engineering, and target or incidental harvest of species managed under an FMP or fishery regulations that would otherwise be prohibited. Examples of issued EFPs including applications and permits are available on the AKR website. An EFP is for federal fishing activity; applicants that wish to conduct their activities in state waters need to contact the State of Alaska.
Which regulations describe the process for obtaining an EFP?
Regulations that describe the application and review process for EFPs are at 50 CFR 679.6 and 50 CFR 600.745.
How do I apply?
- Contact the NOAA Fisheries' Alaska Regional Office (AKR) staff listed at the bottom of this page to discuss your idea. This can be helpful prior to and during the writing of your application. Staff can discuss the timeline and analyses that may be needed based on the specifics of your proposal.
- Write your application. Examples of issued EFPs including applications and permits are available on the AKR website. Additionally, an application template can be provided upon request.
- Consider when you would like to start EFP fishing and plan accordingly. It can take several months from the date of submission until the EFP is issued. The time NOAA Fisheries requires to review your application depends on the complexity and scope of the project, the type of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) review, and North Pacific Fishery Management Council's (NPFMC) meeting schedule.
- When writing your application, please ensure the application follows the procedures detailed in 50 CFR 679.6 and 50 CFR 600.745.
- Submit your completed application to the Alaska Regional Office.
What happens after I submit my application?
- Each EFP is unique. The review of your application depends on the complexity and scope of the project, the type of NEPA review, and NPFMC's meeting schedule.
- Once the application is submitted, NMFS will contact the applicant to schedule a kick off meeting to fully understand the EFP and discuss the complexity and scope. During that meeting a timeline is developed.
- The EFP is sent to the Alaska Fisheries Science Center (AFSC) for scientific review. Applicants with a time-sensitive project should work with the AFSC on the experimental design before submitting an EFP application.
- Each EFP undergoes NEPA review. The application and NEPA document would support the decision-making and inform the public of the EFP project. Depending on the nature of the EFP, there may be an Endangered Species Act consultation required.
- The AKR consults with the NPFMC on EFP applications and the applicant may be asked to present their application at a NPFMC meeting.
- The AKR additionally solicits public comments through a Federal Register notice of the receipt of an application. The public is welcome to comment on EFP applications through the Federal Register notice and at the NPFMC meeting.
- After the necessary consultations, reviews, and analyses are complete and public comments have been received, AKR staff will draft the EFP permit in collaboration with the applicant and relevant partners (e.g., AFSC, NOAA Office of Law Enforcement). Examples of issued EFPs including applications and permits are available on the AKR website. The EFP is valid upon signature by the applicant and NOAA Fisheries Alaska Regional Administrator.
- Note that the decision of NOAA Fisheries to grant or deny an exempted fishing permit is the final action of the agency.
- At any point in the process, applicants and prospective applicants are welcome to contact the AKR for more information and/or updates.