Groundfish Mothership Cooperative Permit
About
A valid Mothership Cooperative Permit (MS Coop Permit) is required to buy whiting from the catcher vessel and process the whiting to sell in the marketplace. Participants are LEP holders with MS/CV endorsed permits.
A Mothership Cooperative Permit Application Form must be completed and submitted to NOAA Fisheries at the address given to apply for a mothership (MS) cooperative permit. To be an eligible MS cooperative (coop) entity, a group of mothership catcher vessel (MS/CV) endorsed limited entry permit owners (coop members) must be a recognized entity under the laws of the United States or the laws of a State and represent all of the coop members. The coop must include at least 20 percent of all MS/CV-endorsed permits as members.
If you need additional space for Section B, please use a Section B Extended Form.
Fishery Type: Limited Access
Harvest Type: Commercial
Species Covered: Whiting
Online Renewal: No
Logbook Requirements: Yes
Transferable: No
Expiration Date: Annual, expires December 31. A designated coop manager must submit an application each year between February 1 and March 31 that the coops intend to fish for the re-registration process.
Fishing Area: EEZ off of Washington, Oregon, and California coasts
Forms:
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Mothership Cooperative Permit Application Form (PDF, 5 pages). Expires January 31, 2026.
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Mothership Permit Renewal Form (PDF, 2 pages). Expires January 31, 2026.
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Mothership Vessel Change Form (PDF, 4 pages). Expires January 31, 2026.
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MSCV Endorsement Transfer Form (PDF, 3 pages). Expires January 31, 2026.
Background
The West Coast Regional Office issues and renews permits. Regulations governing this fishery can be found at Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Part 660, Subparts D and E.
Additional Requirements
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Carry a Limited Entry Groundfish permit.
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Members of the coop must carry endorsements pursuant to their target species and method. These include gear endorsements, size endorsements, sablefish endorsements, and/or Mothership/Catcher Vessel (MS/CV) Endorsements.
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Meet 100% at-sea and landing monitoring requirements.
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Carry a NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement-type approved and operational vessel monitoring system (VMS) unit.
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