Pacific Islands Region Fishing Permits

The Sustainable Fisheries Division Permits Program issues around 300 permits annually for pelagic longline and troll & handline, bottomfish, crustacean (lobster and shrimp), coral reef, and precious coral fisheries. The permits are for American Samoa, Guam, Hawaii, Northern Mariana Islands, Pacific Remote Islands, and Pacific Marine National Monument areas. These permits are linked to Fishery Ecosystem Plans managing Federal fisheries within the Exclusive Economic Zones around these areas.

Permits are issued in compliance with Federal regulations authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act.

Only authorized individuals may access database

Only authorized NMFS staff are allowed access to full permit data. The data steward receives data requests and prepares extracts from the databases to requesting staff. Permit records are made available to NMFS Office of Law Enforcement staff upon request. Data extracts are transmitted securely. A limited summary of a subset of publicly accessible permit information is published on the PIRO website monthly.

Data may not be shared with non-authorized individuals. Data are not accessible to individuals without prior authorization or password access to the National Permit System or local databases.

PIRO Permits are stored in two environments. Hawaii longline limited access permits and WCPFC Area Endorsements are processed and stored in the National Permit System (NPS) operated by NOAA OCIO at HQ. Other permits are processed and stored in FileMaker Pro databases hosted on PIRO servers. Prior authorization and passwords are required to access NPS and the FileMaker Pro databases. Permit holders may renew Hawaii longline permits and HSFCA permits via an online publicly accessible NPS site. In time, more PIRO permit programs will be moved into NPS.

Permit application data are verified against the information on the permit application and previous permit records. Information about businesses may be verified against state business registration records. Vessel information is confirmed by US Coast Guard vessel certificates of documentation or state vessel registration records. Radio call sign information is verified via FCC call sign searches. Permit applications, processing checklists, and permit certificates are reviewed by the Assistant Regional Administrator before issuance.

Local databases are backed up daily by PIRO-IT.

NPS database is backed up by NOAA OCIO at HQ.

Paper application forms are entered manually into permit databases. Hawaii longline limited access permit applications and WCPFC Area Endorsement and FEEZ Supplement applications are entered into the National Permit System (NPS) online. Other permit applications are entered into local databases. Issuance, effective, and expiration dates are updated in the databases when the permits are issued. Databases generate permit certificates and letters. Permit certificates and accompanying documents are delivered to permit holders.