Sustainable Fisheries Division

Western Pacific General Longline Permit

The western Pacific general longline permit is required for anyone using longline gear to fish for pelagic species in the EEZ around Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or Pacific Remote Island Areas or anyone landing or transshipping pelagic species caught with longline gear in Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or Pacific Remote Island Areas.

Download Application

Requirements:

Carry a valid High Seas Fishing Compliance Act permit on board the vessel if fishing in international waters.
Carry a valid Marine Mammal Authorization Program certificate on board the vessel.
Carry a valid Protected Species Workshop certificate on board the vessel.
Carry a valid general longline permit on board the vessel.
Maintain and submit the Western Pacific longline logbook to NOAA Fisheries Service within 72 hours of returning to port.

The general longline permit may be used to land in American Samoa pelagic species caught with longline gear outside the EEZ around American Samoa. It may not be used to fish for pelagic species using longline gear in the EEZ around American Samoa or Hawaii, or to land longline caught fish in Hawaii.

Permits are renewed annually and expire on March 3 of each year. Renewals of permits are processed by the Pacific Islands Regional Office.

Regulations governing this fishery can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Part 665, Subpart F. Detailed information on permit conditions and other requirements can be found in the Western Pacific General Longline Regulation Summary.

High Seas Fishing Compliance Act Permit:

This permit is required for any U.S. fishing vessel fishing outside the EEZ in international waters. Regulations for this permit requirement can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 50, Part 300.

Marine Mammal Authorization Program (MMAP) Certificate:

Pacific Islands Regional Office (PIRO) issues the MMAP certificate to each vessel registered to a western Pacific general longline permit because the fishery is classified as a Category II fishery under the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Each fishing vessel in a Category II fishery must be registered with an MMAP, and a valid certificate must be on-board the vessel when fishing. PIRO issues the MMAP certificate to each renewing permit holder or permit holder transferee. The MMAP certificate is renewed annually. Permit holders do not have to apply for the MMAP certificate.

Protected Species Workshop Certificate:

Every year longline vessel owners and operators must attend and be certified for completion of a workshop conducted by NOAA Fisheries Service on interaction mitigation techniques for sea turtles, seabirds and other protected species.

Contact Information:

Permits, Certificates, MMAP Report Forms, Compliance Guides and Other Information
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700
Ph: (808) 944-2200 (ask for permits)
Fax: (808) 973-2940 (for permits)
Email: piro-permits@noaa.gov

Protected Species Workshop
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 1110
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700
Ph: (808) 944-2200
Email: piropsw@noaa.gov

Obtain or Submit Logbooks (PIFSC)
NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
ATTN: FMSD
2570 Dole St.
Honolulu, HI 96822-2396
Ph: (808) 983-5325
Fax: (808) 983-2902
Web: www.pifsc.noaa.gov

Enforcement Information, or To Report a Violation
NOAA Office for Law Enforcement
1601 Kapiolani Blvd., Suite 950
Honolulu, HI 96814-4700
Ph: (808) 203-2500 (general)
Ph: (800) 853-1964 (confidential hotline)
Fax: (808) 203-2599

Fishing in National Wildlife Refuges - U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Manager
300 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 5-231
P.O. Box 50167
Honolulu, HI 96850
Ph: (808) 792-9550 Fax: (808) 792-9585
Web: www.fws.gov/pacificislandsrefuges