Deep-Set Buoy Gear Permits

Two types of permits are available for vessels employing deep-set buoy gear:

1. Limited Entry Deep-set Buoy Gear (LE DSBG) permits are required for persons inside the Southern California Bight (defined by a northern boundary of 34°26′54.96″ N latitude [i.e., Point Conception, California], a southern boundary of the U.S.-Mexico maritime border, and a western boundary of 120°28′18″ W longitude) who target, retain, transship, or land fish captured with DSBG.
2. Open Access High Migratory Species (HMS) permits with DSBG endorsement are required for persons shoreward of the seaward boundary of the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off Oregon and California who target, retain, transship, or land fish captured with DSBG.
   More information on the HMS permit

Individuals who hold a LE DSBG permit must also hold an HMS permit with a DSBG endorsement.

Fishery Type: Limited access (LE DSBG permits) and open access (HMS permits with DSBG endorsement)

Harvest Type: Commercial

Species Covered: Highly Migratory Species (50 CFR 660.702)

Apply/Renew Online: Yes 

Logbook Requirements: Yes 

Transferable: Yes, a one-time transfer to a family member only upon the death of a family member (the permit owner). 

Expiration Date: Annual; March 31st. Renewals are due by April 30th.

Fishing Area: California and Oregon EEZ

Background

DSBG employs a hook and line system where a floatation device is deployed on the surface from which a single weighted line hangs with baited hooks attached. This permit authorizes the use of DSBG in two configurations: 

Standard Buoy Gear (SBG): An individual piece (section) of SBG consists of a vertical monofilament mainline suspended from a buoy-array with a terminal weight.  Up to three gangions with hooks may be attached to the mainline at a minimum depth of 90 meters. 

Linked Buoy Gear (LBG): An individual piece (section) of LBG consists of a monofilament mainline which extends vertically from a buoy-array (either directly or from a minimum 50 foot extender) to a weight; then horizontally to a second weight; then vertically to a minimum 50 foot extender attached to a second buoy-array. Up to three gangions with hooks may be connected to each horizontal section of the mainline, all of which must be fished below 90 meters. The pieces may be linked together by the mainline, which is serviceable between each piece of LBG and must be suspended between links below a depth of 50 feet.

Additionally, both DSBG configurations (SBG and LBG) will need to meet the following specifications (see 50 CFR 660.715(b)):

1. Buoy-array: The surface buoy flotation and strike detection array consists of a minimum of three buoys (a minimum 45lbs buoyancy non-compressible hard ball, a minimum 6lbs buoyancy buoy, and a strike detection buoy) with no more than 6ft of line between adjacent buoys, all connected in-line by a minimum of 3⁄8 in diameter line. Use of buoy tether attachments (e.g., gear with loops and/or dangling components) is prohibited. SBG and terminal LBG buoy-arrays must include a locator flag, a radar reflector, and vessel/fisher identification compliant with all current state
2. Requirements and regulations; 
3. Weights must be a minimum of 3.6 kg;
4. Minimum size 16/0 circle hooks with not more than 10 degrees offset; and 
5. No more than ten pieces of SBG or LBG, in total, may be deployed at one time, with no more than three hooks per piece.

Additional Requirements

• Carry a Pacific Highly Migratory Species permit endorsed for DSBG.
• Carry a valid Marine Mammal Authorization Program certificate on board the vessel.

More Information

• DSBG Frequently Asked Questions
• Final Rule to Implement Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for West Coast Fisheries for HMS; Authorization of Deep-Set Buoy Gear
• West Coast Fishing Permits
• West Coast HMS Permit Regulations