NOAA request for comments on non-commercial fishing permit and reporting forms for Pacific marine monuments
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This notice keeps in place NOAA’s permit application and trip log requirements for non-commercial and charter recreational fishing in the Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench, and Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monuments. Vessel owners and operators must have a valid NMFS permit, register the vessel to that permit, and submit catch and effort logs after fishing trips. The notice does not create a new fishing rule. It asks the public to comment on whether the existing paperwork is useful, accurate in its burden estimates, and could be improved or made easier. Comments are due by July 6, 2026, and should reference OMB Control Number 0648-0664.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Opens a 60-day public comment period on renewing the existing information collection for non-commercial fishing permits and log sheets.
- Confirms that vessel owners and operators must hold NMFS permits for covered non-commercial and charter recreational fishing in the named marine monuments.
- Confirms that vessel operators must complete log sheets within 24 hours after each fishing day and submit them within 30 days after each trip.
Obligations
What this law requires
Owners and operators of vessels used to non-commercially fish for, take, retain, or possess any management unit species in the Rose Atoll, Marianas Trench, or Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monuments must hold a valid NMFS permit.
Owners and operators of chartered vessels used to recreationally fish for, take, retain, or possess any management unit species in the listed Marine National Monuments must hold a valid NMFS permit.
A fishing vessel used for covered non-commercial or charter recreational fishing in the listed Marine National Monuments must be registered to the applicable NMFS permit.
A charter fishing business must be legally established in the permit area where it will operate.
Permit applicants must provide required basic information about the applicant, type of operation, vessel, and permit area in the NMFS permit application.