



A broad overview of the restrictions and requirements that apply to Small Vessel Category permits. The regulations summarized here may be found at 50 CFR Part 648. Please contact the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315 for more information.
A vessel eligible for a Category A Northeast Multispecies limited access days-at-sea permit may elect to instead apply for a Small Vessel Exemption (Category C) permit and fish under the Small Vessel Category, provided the vessel meets specific requirements.
The vessel must be 30 feet or less in length overall, as determined by measuring along a horizontal line drawn from a perpendicular raised from the outside of the most forward portion of the stem of the vessel to a perpendicular raised from the aftermost portion of the stern.
If construction of the vessel was begun after May 1, 1994, the vessel must be constructed such that the quotient of the length overall divided by the beam is not less than 2.5. For example, a 30 foot vessel can not have a beam of greater than 12 feet (30 feet divided by 12 feet = 2.5).
Dredge gear may not be used on a Small Vessel Category permitted vessel.
Small Vessel Category vessels may retain up to 300 pounds of cod, haddock, and yellowtail flounder, combined, and one Atlantic halibut per trip without being subject to days-at-sea restrictions, provided the vessel does not exceed the individual species possession restrictions for common pool days-at-sea vessels. We may adjust trip limits for these species mid-season; we will notify you of any adjustments if this occurs. Small Vessel Category vessels are also subject to the common pool days-at-sea possession limits for all other regulated species. For current groundfish possession limits, please see the Common Pool page.