Instructions for Vessel Permits and Letters of Authorization

How to Electronically Sign and Obtain a Copy of your Issued Vessel Permit

The process to apply for a vessel permit has not changed from recent years. Now, however, permit holders or their legally authorized agents must electronically sign the vessel permit before they can print or download a copy. A vessel permit must be signed to be valid. Fish Online will document the signature, Fish Online account used, and the time and date on the vessel permit. Once signed, Fish Online will allow the user to print or download a copy of the vessel permit. Either option is acceptable provided that the permit is readily accessible on the vessel if requested, including when the vessel is at sea and without cellular service.

How to sign and print or download your vessel permit:

1. Login to your Fish Online account;
2. Scroll down the page past the fishing vessel image to find the list of credentialed vessels associated with your Fish Online account;
3. Select the vessel for which you wish to sign and obtain a copy of the permit;
4. On the next page, underneath “Permit Status”, Select “View your 20XX Permit” for the current fishing year;
5. Scroll to the “Sign your Permit” section and type your name in the signature box;
6. Click the “Submit Signature” button to sign the permit; and
7. Select “Print your Permit PDF” or “Download your Permit”.

NOTE: The signed vessel permit must be readily accessible on the vessel if requested, including when the vessel is at sea and without phone reception. For this reason, we encourage you to print or download a copy of your signed vessel permit prior to sailing.

How to Apply for an LOA 

Permit holders who wish to enroll in an LOA program may apply online via the Fish Online portal.

The steps are as follows:

1. Login to your Fish Online account;
2. Scroll down the page past the fishing vessel image to find the list of credentialed vessels associated with your Fish Online account;
3. Select the vessel for which you wish to obtain an LOA;
4. Select “Apply for Permit” in the menu bar at the top of the Fish Online homepage to navigate to the permit applications page;
5. Select “LOA” in the menu bar at the top of the permit applications page;
6. Scroll down to the “Requested Fishery” section to select an action (i.e., apply), a fishery (i.e., your desired LOA program), and the start and end dates for which you wish to enroll; and
7. Complete the “Signature” section and submit your application.

NOTE: The selected start and end dates must adhere to the enrollment season and minimum enrollment period requirements. A complete list of LOAs, enrollment seasons, and minimum enrollment period requirements can be found HERE. When selecting a start date, permit holders may select the next day at the earliest (i.e., same day applications are not allowed). LOA applications are reviewed and processed manually by Permit Office staff during business hours.  LOA applications submitted over the weekend will be processed the following week.

An email confirming receipt of the application will be sent to the address associated with the applicant’s Fish Online account. A member of GARFO’s Permit Office will review and process the application. A follow-up email will be sent to the same email address after the LOA has been issued. Changes to a vessel’s LOA status are not official until GARFO’s Permit Office has processed the request and issued updated documentation of the change.

How to Obtain a Copy of your Issued LOA

Permit holders will receive an email at the email address associated with their Fish Online account notifying them when their LOA has been issued. Effective on March 31, 2026, all LOAs issued to a vessel will be displayed on the vessel’s electronic permit and available in Fish Online. Permit staff will no longer be able to email a copy of the LOA to permit holders or vessel operators.  

How to access your LOA:

1. Login to your Fish Online account;
2. Scroll down the page past the fishing vessel image to find the list of credentialed vessels associated with your Fish Online account;
3. Select the vessel for which you applied for an LOA;
4. On the next page, underneath “Permit Status”, Select “View your 20XX Permit” for the current fishing year;
5. Sign the vessel permit, if you haven’t already done so;
6. Scroll down to view the vessel’s LOA enrollment history and the associated terms and conditions for each LOA that has been issued to that vessel; and

7. The “View your 20XX Permit” webpage also allows you to print or download a copy of your permit.  

    

NOTE: The vessel permit must be signed to be valid. You can carry either a paper or an electronic copy of your vessel permit, provided that the permit is readily accessible on the vessel if requested, including when the vessel is at sea and without phone reception. For this reason, we encourage you to print or download a copy of your vessel permit and LOAs prior to sailing, and to print or download an updated copy whenever you enroll or withdraw from an LOA program.

How to Withdraw or Cancel Enrollment in an LOA Program

A permit holder may cancel their participation in an LOA program prior to their selected start date and may withdraw from participating in an LOA program after their selected start date, provided that they adhere to minimum enrollment period requirements. Permit holders who wish to withdraw or cancel their participation in an LOA program may manage their LOAs online via the Fish Online portal.  

How to make changes to an existing LOA:

1. Login to your Fish Online account;
2. Scroll down the page past the fishing vessel image to find the list of credentialed vessels associated with your Fish Online account;
3. Select the vessel associated with your LOA;
4. Select “Apply for Permit” in the menu bar at the top of the Fish Online homepage to navigate to the permit applications page;
5. Select “LOA” in the menu bar at the top of the permit applications page;
6. Scroll down to the “Requested Fishery” section to select: An action (i.e., withdraw, cancel), a fishery (i.e., your permitted LOA program), and the following required fields:
   1. If your selected participation period for your LOA has not started yet, you may cancel your participation in the LOA by selecting the “Cancel” action, your permitted LOA under fishery, and checking the box to confirm your cancellation;
   2. If your selected participation period for your LOA has started, you may withdraw from the program early provided that withdrawals are allowed and you adhere to minimum enrollment period requirements. You may do so by selecting the “withdraw” action, your permitted LOA under fishery, and your desired new withdrawal date; and
7. Complete the “Signature” section and submit your application.

NOTE: When selecting a withdrawal date, permit holders may select the next day at the earliest (i.e., same day applications are not allowed). A permit holder who has already withdrawn from an LOA program for a future date may modify their withdrawal date by following the WITHDRAWAL process again and selecting an earlier date provided that you adhere to minimum enrollment period requirements.

An email confirming receipt of the withdrawal or cancellation request will be sent to the address associated with the applicant’s Fish Online account. A member of GARFO’s Permit Office will review and process the withdrawal or cancellation request. LOA applications are reviewed and processed manually by Permit Office staff during business hours. LOA applications submitted over the weekend will be processed the following week. A follow-up email will be sent to the same email address after the LOA withdrawal or cancellation request has been processed. Changes to a vessel’s LOA status are not official until GARFO’s Permit Office has processed the request and issued updated documentation of the change

Summer Flounder SMEP LOA Pilot Program

Effective on March 31, 2026, GARFO will launch a new, fully-electronic, self-service pilot program for the Summer Flounder SMEP LOA program. Permit holders with a summer flounder commercial moratorium permit may use the Fish Online portal to manage their participation (i.e., enrollment, withdrawal, cancellation) in the Summer Flounder SMEP LOA program, similar to other LOA programs. However, these requests will be processed automatically and immediately, and do not require manual review by Permit Office staff. This is intended to provide faster response times and more flexibility to the fishing industry.  

When submitting an LOA request for the Summer Flounder SMEP LOA program, please note that the selected start and end dates must adhere to the enrollment season (i.e., November 1 - April 30) and minimum enrollment period (i.e., 7 days) requirements. When selecting a start date or withdrawal date, permit holders may select the next day at the earliest (i.e., same day applications are not allowed).  

Questions?

If you have questions, please contact the GARFO Permit Office at (978) 282-8438.