Monkfish Offshore Fishery Program

A description and explanation of the Monkfish Offshore Fishery Program and Category F Permits.

New England/Mid-Atlantic

Category F Permit Information

The Category F monkfish permit allows for a higher possession limit in exchange for a reduction in days-at-sea (DAS) allocation and a requirement to fish offshore (see the "Offshore Monkfish Fishery Program Area" defined below). Any monkfish limited access Category A-D permit holder can switch to this category. This change can be requested within 45 days of a permit’s effective date. To be accepted, the permit must not have used any DAS for the fishing year, and must meet the criteria listed below. If you would like more information or to change categories, please contact our Permit Office at (978)-282-8438.

Category F Permit Requirements:

You must have an operational VMS unit;
You must properly stow gear when transiting to or from the designated area (see below for coordinates and a map);
When not fishing on a monkfish DAS, you will be held to the incidental monkfish possession limits; and
You must only use your monkfish DAS during the offshore season from October 1 through April 30 in the area below (see below for coordinates and a map).

Category F Monkfish Possession Limits and DAS Allocations

The monkfish possession limit is 1,600 lb of tail weight or 4,656 lb of whole weight. Each permit holder’s DAS allocation will vary based on prior permit category. Please call the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315 if you would like to know what your DAS allocation would be if you were to switch to a Category F permit.