Farm Raised Salmon Letter of Authorization (LOA)
This Letter of Authorization (LOA) allows any federally permitted aquaculture company to possess farmed Atlantic Salmon in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).
Why were these requirements put in place?
The new requirements were established to safeguard both vessel owners and aquaculture companies handling farmed Atlantic salmon, ensuring that there is no confusion with wild salmon. These measures also play a crucial role in protecting wild Atlantic salmon populations. By preventing the escape of farm-raised salmon into the wild, the regulations help avert the risk of wild salmon becoming endangered. They preserve the genetic integrity of native salmon, prevent interbreeding that could weaken natural survival traits, and ultimately contribute to the long-term survival of wild salmon species.
Wild vs Farmed Salmon
What is the NOAA Atlantic Salmon LOA?
This Letter of Authorization (LOA) allows any federally permitted aquaculture company to possess farmed Atlantic Salmon in the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Vessel owners or operators carrying Atlantic salmon MUST present a valid LOA to enforcement agencies to confirm authorized possession. The LOA clarifies the legal possession of farmed Atlantic salmon, ensuring vessels can prove their catch is not wild salmon, which is illegal, as per 50 CFR 648.40 and 50 CFR 648.41 regulations.
Who needs to carry a LOA?
Any vessel transporting farmed salmon, whether State Registered or US Coast Guard Documented, must carry an LOA to ensure compliance with regulations and to protect wild salmon populations.
Reporting and Record Keeping Requirements
Vessels operating under the LOA are exempt from any standardized reporting monitoring requirements and aren't required to have a Vessel monitoring system VMS onboard.
However, if a vessel operating under the LOA normally uses VMS for other federal regulations, the operator is required to Declare Out of Fishery (DOF). Additionally, if the vessel is normally required to submit electronic Vessel Trip Reports (eVTRs), it will be exempt from this requirement while operating under the LOA.
Other LOA requirements
When operating under the LOA, the Vesel:
- May not fish or possess any other managed species other than those identified on the LOA
- May not discard farmed Atlantic salmon into sea, including at the project site or during transit to sore
- Operators must move the fish according to this authorization, keeping them separate from other species. (This doesn’t mean each fish needs its own tagged containers)
Applying for an LOA
To apply/ request for this LOA:
- Create a Fish Online (FOL) account - for a tutorial click here.
- After creating a Fish Online account log into it here.
- If you can’t remember your password, create a new password here.
- Click Apply for Permit at the top of your FOL homepage.
- Click the Letter of Authorization link.
- Enter Vessel Information.
- In the Requested Fishery section, check the box to the left of the LOA(s) that you want in order to open the Start Date and End Date fields on the right.
- Type in the start and end dates in this format (mm/dd/yyyy).
- Complete the Signature section, and submit the form.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I have to report to NOAA and GARFO on how many salmon I transport?
A: No, there are no reporting requirements for the amount of salmon a vessel can transport.
Q: If I take salmon to a dealer/ processor facility on shore, do I need to report that to GARFO?
A: No, the vessel does not need to report to GARFO the amount of salmon taken to an offshore facility. The dealer/processor who receives the salmon also does not need to report to GARFO.
Q: How much does the LOA cost?
A: Free of charge.
Q: What happens if I lose my permit and need a duplicate?
A: The vessel owner or authorized representative can email or call the permit office to receive another copy of their LOA. An owner can also print multiple copies of their LOA as well to have a backup.
Q: Do I need to renew it? If so how often do I need to renew this LOA
A: Yes, you need to renew this LOA on an annual basis.
Contact us
For assistance with your permits, call our Permits Office at (978) 282-8438 or email NMFS.GAR.Permits@noaa.gov.
Please contact the Habitat and Ecosystem Services Division at (978) 675-5001 for information about the regulations and requirements of the Salmon LOA program.