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Dear Vessel Permit Holder:
New regulations implementing Amendment 9 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fisheries (Amendment) go into effect on June 1, 1997. This letter gives notice of the new Federal black sea bass permit requirements.
Read the Limited Access Permit Category section carefully. It provides crucial information concerning the need for you to submit landings records for the vessel named on the envelope.
Black Sea Bass Moratorium Permit: This permit is required for a vessel to fish commercially for black sea bass in the management unit defined as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) north of 3515.3' N. latitude -- the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. To qualify for this permit, a vessel must meet the following eligibility criteria are:
(1) The vessel landed and sold black sea bass in the management unit between January 26, 1988, and January 26, 1993; or,
(2) The vessel was under construction for, or was being rerigged for, use in the directed fishery for black sea bass on January 26, 1993, provided the vessel landed black sea bass in the management unit for sale prior to January 26, 1994; or,
(3) The vessel is replacing such a vessel and meets the replacement restrictions.
NMFS DOES NOT have records to indicate that the vessel named on the envelope landed black sea bass in the management unit during the required time period. If you have records to show that your vessel qualifies for this permit, you must submit copies with the enclosed application. One of the best ways to show that your vessel meets the eligibility criteria is to submit fish dealer receipts showing the date and amount of black sea bass landed by your vessel.
We must receive a completed application no later than December 15, 1997. Applications cannot be accepted after that date.
Charter/Party: This permit is required to fish for or retain black sea bass in the management unit defined as the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) north of 3515.3' N. latitude -- the latitude of Cape Hatteras Light, Cape Hatteras, North Carolina-- while carrying passengers for hire.
This letter is only a summary of the permit changes established
under this Amendment. There are other requirements that have not
been summarized in this letter. To read the requirements in
their entirety, you should request a complete copy of the
regulations by calling 508-281-9278.
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