Groundfish First Receiver Site License

A valid First Receiver Site License (FRSL) is required to receive, purchase, or take custody, control, or possession of catch onshore from a vessel that harvested fish under the IFQ program. All buyers must hold an FRSL for each physical landing site in order to receive a landing of IFQ species. A single company may have multiple landing sites, each of which requires its own license.

The following are required to complete the online application process:

• Create a Pacific Coast Groundfish Permits account using your email address.
• Log in to complete a FRSL online application.
• Upload your state buyer’s license for the current year. 
• Upload your catch monitoring plan (see guidelines and a template).
• Complete an EDC survey (for renewals).
• Pay the application fee through the Pay.gov link online (via credit card, PayPal, ACH - electronic bank transfer, or Amazon Pay).

Once we receive and review an application, we will set up a site inspection with the applicant. We'll attempt to schedule a site inspection as quickly as possible. However, because of cost and travel considerations, allow 60 days for us to complete site inspection. After a site inspection, the first receiver typically is required to provide an updated/revised catch monitor plan.

Fishery Type: Limited Access

Harvest Type: Commercial

Species Covered: Groundfish

Online Renewal: Yes (online only)

• NMFS will mail FRSL renewal reminders to existing license holders on or about February 1 each year.
• Applicants who want to have their new license effective for July 1 must renew their FRSL online by April 15. 

Logbook Requirements: Yes 

Transferable: No

Expiration Date: Annual, expires June 30. Permits must be renewed each year by April 15.

Fishing Area: EEZ off of Washington, Oregon, and California coasts

Background

The West Coast Regional Office issues and renews licenses. Regulations governing this fishery can be found at Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Part 660.

Additional Requirements

1. First receivers must have a valid state buyer’s license.
2. First receivers are responsible for having a catch monitor onsite to observe and ensure all catch is offloaded from a vessel, sorted (by species or species groups), and weighed in accordance with a valid catch monitoring plan.
3. Each FRSL is required to have a site inspection at least once every three years, and site inspections typically occur between May 1 and June 15.
4. Application packets must include a catch monitoring plan detailing how the first receiver will meet each of the performance standards. Guidelines for the development of a catch monitoring plan can be found here. 

Need Help?

West Coast Groundfish Fishing Permits

West Coast Regional Office

7600 Sand Point Way NE, Bldg. 1

Seattle, WA 98115-0070 

Phone: 206-526-4353