American Lobster - Permitting Information
About
To fish commercially for lobsters in federal waters, a vessel must possess a federal lobster limited access permit and the permit must be on board at all times.
The operator of the vessel must also have a valid federal operator’s permit.
Only one federal lobster permit is issued per vessel, with only one fishing history qualifying that permit.
When a vessel is sold or transferred with the permit, the fishing history and qualifications stay with the permitted vessel.
If a vessel issued a federal lobster permit sinks, is destroyed, or sold without the lobster permit, the owner should apply for a confirmation of permit history (CPH). CPH preserves the landings and permit history of the lobster permit until the vessel is replaced.
Lobster permits must be renewed each year by the last day of the fishing year (April 30) or the permit will be lost and considered abandoned.
Lobster vessel owners are allowed 45 days from the effective date on their permit to make any changes concerning trap areas or non-trap fishing designations. After this time, changes to the permit can only be made if/when a vessel is sold.
If applicable, vessel trip reports (VTRs) must also be completed in order to renew your federal permit. For permit renewal, vessel replacements, and other forms, visit Fish Online.
Number of Lobster Permits
As of 2017, there were 3,288 federal lobster permits, 419 of which are in Confirmation of Permit History (CPH) status. CPH status retains a permit’s eligibility and landings history in the event the vessel has sunk or is sold. The permit in CPH may then be placed on a vessel at a later date.
Federal lobster permits issued in 2017
Permit Category |
Type |
Number of Issued Permits |
---|---|---|
Area 1 |
Commercial |
1,601 |
Area 2 |
Commercial |
172 |
Area 3 |
Commercial |
107 |
Area 4 |
Commercial |
64 |
Area 5 |
Commercial |
35 |
Area 6 |
Commercial |
38 |
AOC |
Commercial |
17 |
LO1 |
Commercial/Non-trap |
812 |
LO2 |
Charter/Party Non-trap |
23 |
CPH |
Commercial |
419 |
Category 1 (LO1) refers to non-trap permits. Category 2 (LO2) refers to Charter/Party permits.
On December 6, 1999, we published a final rule that establishes a moratorium on any new entrants into the federal lobster fishery. However, existing permits (when associated with a vessel) can be bought and sold to another entity.
Species Covered By This Permit
- American Lobster
How to Apply
All permits are free of charge. Go to Fish Online to apply online.
For assistance, please contact our Permit Office by emailing us at NMFS.GAR.Permits@noaa.gov or by calling (978) 282-8438.
What Happens After You Submit
After we process an online permit application, you will need to print your permit from your Fish Online account. We will not be mailing paper permits back to you once your permit has been issued.