HMS Caribbean Commercial Small Boat Commercial Fishing Permit (Open Access)
About
Online Renewal: Yes (via the Southeast Fisheries Permit System)
Moratorium: No
Logbook Requirements: No logbooks are required.
Transferrable: No. All open access permits are non-transferrable.
Expiration Date: If the vessel owner is an individual, the annual permit expiration date will be the last day of the permit holder’s birth month. In the case of multiple owners, the birth date of the managing owner is the determining date. If the vessel owner is a business, the expiration date will be the last day of the month the company was formed. If the vessel is leased, the expiration date will be the last day of the last full month of the lease term.
Fishing area: Puerto Rico and U.S Virgin Islands
Additional Information:
- Vessel must be less than 45' (45 feet).
- Cannot be held in conjunction with an Atlantic shark, swordfish, tuna long line or smooth-hound permit.
Species Covered By This Permit
- North Atlantic Albacore Tuna
- North Atlantic Swordfish
- Atlantic Bigeye Tuna
- Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna
- Atlantic Skipjack Tuna
- Atlantic Yellowfin Tuna
- Tiger Shark
- Atlantic Blacktip Shark
- Spinner Shark
- Bull Shark
- Finetooth Shark
- Lemon Shark
- Atlantic Sharpnose Shark
- Smoothhound Shark
- Bonnethead Shark
What You Will Need
To obtain this permit, you must complete and submit an application for the Vessel EEZ, provide a valid state registration or Coast Guard documentation, provide any other required documentation and pay application fees.
How to Apply
Permit Renewal via Online (Preferred Method)
The Southeast Region Permit Office sends out renewal letters 60 days prior to the expiration date of the permit. If your vessel has permits that are eligible to renew online, the letter will outline instructions to redeem your invitation code or set up an online account.
Use the Southeast Fisheries Permit System to renew your permits
If the letter has an invitation code, please follow the steps to redeem the invitation code to set up an e-mail address for your account. It will be necessary to have your e-mail account open when setting up the account.
If the letter has an e-mail address, please follow the steps to renew your permits online. The Southeast Region Permit Office will e-mail you additional documentation to aid in the application process, so it is recommended to have your e-mail open when renewing your permits online.
Please include a copy of your valid state registration or Coast Guard documentation and any other supporting documentation. A non-refundable application processing fee is required. Application fees are based on the number of requested permits. Fees should be paid via checks or money orders, payable to U.S. Department of Treasury. Application fees are subject to change.
Permit Renewal via Paper Application
To renew your permit(s) via paper application, click on the application download link in the upper left corner of this page or download the Vessel EEZ application here.
Please complete the Vessel EEZ application and mail to the address below. Please include a copy of your valid state registration or Coast Guard documentation and any other supporting documentation. A non-refundable application processing fee is required. Application fees are based on the number of requested permits. Fees should be paid via checks or money orders, payable to U.S. Department of Treasury. Application fees are subject to change.
Requesting New Permits
To apply for a new permit, you must submit a paper application. The application download link is in the upper left corner of this page or download the Vessel EEZ application here.
Complete the application and mail to the address below. Please include a copy of your valid state registration or Coast Guard documentation. A non-refundable application processing fee is required. Application fees are based on the number of requested permits. Fees should be paid via checks or money orders, payable to U.S. Department of Treasury. Application fees are subject to change.
Mailing Paper Applications
Paper applications should be mailed to:
NOAA Permits Office/FSER1
263 13th Avenue South
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
What Happens After You Submit
When applications are received into the Southeast Region Permit Office, they are assigned a unique application number and categorized by receive date. Upon application review, permits are issued if the application, vessel and permit meet all requirements. In the event requirements are not met, a cover letter will be mailed outlining all deficiencies. When deficiencies are resolved, permits can be issued.
After submittal, you may check your application status. Please have your vessel number or application number readily available.
Once Your Permit is Issued
Please retain the original permits on the vessel or in a location that is easy to access. The Office of Law Enforcement and U.S. Coast Guard do inspect vessels for valid permits.
More Information
Watch this video to learn more about the HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat Permit.
Mire este video para obtener más información sobre el Permiso Comercial Caribeño para Botes Pequeños de HMS.
For more information about the permits, go to the general Southeast Permits Information page or the frequently asked questions about Southeast fishing permits page. You may also contact us at (877) 376-4877 for additional questions.