High Seas Fishing Compliance Act of
1995
All U.S. vessels used for commercial fishing on the high seas must obtain a permit
issued under the High Seas
Fishing Compliance Act (HSFCA) (16 U.S.C. 5501 et seq.). The HSFCA
defines "high seas" as the waters beyond the territorial sea or exclusive
economic zone (or the equivalent) of any Nation, to the extent such territorial sea or
exclusive economic zone (or the equivalent) is recognized by the United States. The
regulations that implement the HSFCA are found at 50 CFR Part
300, Subparts A and B.
High seas fishing permits are issued by National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
Regional Offices. Applicants for high seas permits should submit their completed
applications to the NMFS Regional Office with which they normally interact on Federal
fisheries matters. Applications must specify, among other things, the International Agreements and/or Fishery Management Plans
[implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens
Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.)] under
which an applicant intends to fish on the high seas. The application fee is $50.00.
High seas permits are valid for five years from the date of issuance.
Application forms are available from NMFS Regional Offices at the following addresses:
National Marine Fisheries Service
Northeast Region Permits Office
One Blackburn Drive
Gloucester, MA 01930-2298
Phone: (508) 281-9370
Fax: (508) 281-9135 |
National Marine Fisheries Service
Northwest Region Permits Office
7600 Sand Point Way, N.E., Bldg. 1
Seattle, WA 98115
Phone: (206) 526-4353
Fax: (206) 526-6736 |
National Marine Fisheries Service
Southeast Region Permits Office
9721 Executive Center Drive, N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33702.
Phone: (813) 570-5326
Fax: (813) 570-5583 |
National Marine Fisheries Service
Alaska Region Permits Office
P.O. Box 21668
Juneau, AK 99802
Phone: (907) 586-7202
Fax: (907) 586-7131 |
National Marine Fisheries Service
Southwest Region Permits Office
501 West Ocean Boulevard, Suite 4200
Long Beach, CA 90802-4213
Phone: (562) 980-4000
Fax: (562) 980-4047 |
National Marine Fisheries Service
Pacific Islands Region Permits Office
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700
Phone: (808) 973-2937
Fax: (808) 973-2941 |
Contact: Chris Fanning |
