Monkfish
About
Permit Categories
| Permit Category | Description | Permits Issued for Fishing Year 2022 |
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Category A
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Limited access DAS permit that does not also have a Northeast multispecies or Atlantic scallop limited access permit.
|
18
|
|
Category B
|
38
|
|
|
Category C
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Limited access DAS permit that also has either a Northeast multispecies or Atlantic scallop limited access permit.
|
255
|
|
Category D
|
239
|
|
|
Limited access permit for the offshore monkfish fishery.*
|
13
|
|
|
Category H
|
Limited access DAS permit for use in the Southern Fishery Management Area only.
|
8
|
|
Category E
|
Open access incidental permit.
|
1485
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* The Offshore Monkfish Fishery Program is a seasonal offshore monkfish fishery in the Southern Fishery Management Area (SFMA). See below for more information on the Category F permit and program.
Control date: The original capacity control date is 9/10/99. There is also a control date of 5/9/12 that was established for consideration of catch shares in Amendment 6. However, this Amendment has been withdrawn, and the associated control date is not currently being used for a specific purpose.
Commercial operator permit: Operator cards are required for any operator of a charter/party boat or a commercial vessel (including carrier and processor vessels) issued a vessel permit from the Greater Atlantic Region and fishing for or in possession of fish.
Commercial dealer/processor permit: Monkfish may only be sold to persons possessing a valid federal monkfish dealer permit. Monkfish caught in federal waters may only be purchased from vessel owners possessing a valid federal monkfish vessel permit.
How to obtain a federal fishing permit: Anyone with a valid vessel operator’s permit can obtain a federal incidental catch monkfish permit.
Commercial (limited access) permits have been managed under a limited entry system since 2000; no new limited access permits are being issued.
Species Covered By This Permit
- Monkfish
How to Apply
All permits are free of charge. Go to Fish Online to apply online.
For assistance, please contact our Permit Office by emailing us at NMFS.GAR.Permits@noaa.gov or by calling (978) 282-8438.
What Happens After You Submit
After we process an online permit application, you will need to print your permit from your Fish Online account. We will not be mailing paper permits back to you once your permit has been issued.
More Information
Category F Permit / Monkfish Offshore Fishery Program
The Category F permit allows for a higher possession limit in exchange for a reduction in DAS allocation and a requirement to fish offshore (see the "Offshore Monkfish Fishery Program Area" defined below). Any monkfish limited access Category A-D permit holder can switch to this category. This change can be requested within 45 days of a permit’s effective date. To be accepted, the permit must not have used any DAS for the fishing year, and must meet the criteria listed below. If you would like more information or to change categories, please contact our Permit Office at (978) 282-8438.
Category F Permit Requirements:
- You must have an operational VMS unit;
- You must properly stow gear when transiting to or from the designated area (see below for coordinates and a map);
- When not fishing on a monkfish DAS, you will be held to the incidental monkfish possession limits; and
- You must only use your monkfish DAS during the offshore season from October 1 through April 30 in the area below (see below for coordinates and a map).
Category F Monkfish Possession Limits and DAS Allocations:
The monkfish possession limit is 1,600 lb of tail weight or 4,656 lb of whole weight. Each permit holder’s DAS allocation will vary based on prior permit category. Call our Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315 if you would like to know what your DAS allocation would be if you were to switch to a Category F permit.
Monkfish Offshore Fishery Program Area
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Reminder: The season for the Monkfish Offshore Fishery Program is October 1 through April 30, and it only takes place within the designated program area (above).