What Federal and State Permits do I need for CR Crab fisheries?
• Owners of vessels used in CR Crab fisheries must hold a Federal Crab Vessel Permit issued by NMFS, and use a VMS. Vessels must be U.S. Coast Guard documented or State-registered, and also must have an ADF&G Number (issued by the Alaska Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC). • If you will be retaining any groundfish harvested from Federal waters (even Pacific cod caught for your own bait), the owners also must obtain a Federal Fishery Permit. Note that any harvest of “minor species” (golden king crab from the Bering Sea) requires that the vessel be named on a valid Federal LLP crab license, unless exempt from that requirement. • CR Crab harvesters: Sellers of product (individual IFQ permit holders or their Hired Masters landing CR Crab) must each have a current CFEC permit for specific king crab fisheries, and for Tanner crab fisheries. An individual fishing on behalf of an IFQ permit holder other than him/herself is a Hired Master; and must be approved by NMFS for the specific
