Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish

Permit Categories

*A Confirmation of Permit History (CPH) allows a vessel owner to retain permit eligibility in the event the vessel has been destroyed or sold but the owner retains the permit eligibility. The permit in Confirmation of Permit History may then be placed on a vessel at a later date.

Control Dates: 

Mackerel:  March 21, 2007 

Longfin Squid:  May 16, 2013

Shortfin Squid:  August 2, 2013 

Butterfish:  May 16, 2013 

Other Permit Information: Vessels fishing for mackerel that are less than 165 feet in length overall, less than 750 gross registered tons, or have a shaft horsepower less than 3,000 may receive one of the mackerel permits listed above. Mackerel vessels larger than any of these measurements should contact our Permits Office at (978) 282-8438 for information on how to get an at-sea processing permit.

Commercial Operator Permit: Operator cards are required for any operator of a charter/party boat or a commercial vessel (including carrier and processor vessels) issued a vessel permit from the Greater Atlantic Region and fishing for or in possession of fish.

Commercial Dealer/Processor Permit: Atlantic mackerel, squid, and/or butterfish may be sold only to persons possessing a valid federal Atlantic mackerel, squid, and/or butterfish dealer permit. 

How to obtain a federal fishing permit:  Anyone with a valid vessel operator’s permit can obtain a federal open access Atlantic mackerel, squid, or butterfish permit.

Commercial (moratorium) permits have been managed under a limited entry system for longfin, shortfin, and butterfish since 1996, and since 2012 for Atlantic mackerel; no new moratorium permits for these species are being issued.