Greater Atlantic Region Vessel Operator Permit
About
Vessel operator permits are required for the captain or operator of a for-hire, charter/party boat or a commercial vessel (including carrier and processor vessels) issued any vessel permit from the Greater Atlantic Region and possessing or fishing for Atlantic Sea Scallops, Northeast Multispecies, Spiny Dogfish, Monkfish, American Lobster, Atlantic Herring, Atlantic Surfclam, Ocean Quahog, Maine Mahogany Quahog, Atlantic Mackerel, Atlantic Chub Mackerel, Longfin Squid, Illex Squid, Butterfish, Scup, Black Sea Bass, Summer Flounder, Golden Tilefish, Blueline Tilefish, Skates, Atlantic Deep-Sea Red Crab, or Atlantic Bluefish in or from the EEZ, or Mid-Atlantic Forage Species within the EEZ from New York through North Carolina.
This operator permit requirement does not apply to operators of vessels with only a Private Recreational Tilefish permit.
Operator Permit Required for all GARFO Vessel Permits
Species Covered By This Permit
- Atlantic Sea Scallop
- Northeast Multispecies (Groundfish)
- Atlantic Spiny Dogfish
- Monkfish
- American Lobster
- Atlantic Herring
- Atlantic Surfclam
- Ocean Quahog
- Atlantic Mackerel
- Atlantic Chub Mackerel
- Longfin Squid
- Shortfin Squid
- Butterfish
- Scup
- Black Sea Bass
- Summer Flounder
- Golden Tilefish
- Tilefish (Blueline Tilefish)
- Northeast Skate Complex
- Red Crab
- Atlantic Bluefish
How to Apply
The only way to apply for an operator permit is by using our electronic form found in our Fish Online web portal. In order to access Fish Online, you will need a user account. If you already have a user account, you do not need to create another one. Once you log in to Fish Online, look for "Application Forms" in the left margin.
If you do not have a Fish Online account, visit our How to Create a Fish Online Account web page for information. If you have any questions, please contact the Permit Office at (978) 282‐8438 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. ET or email NMFS.GAR.Permits@noaa.gov.