Dear Permit Holder:
This letter is to remind you that the deadline to apply for a Federal moratorium (limited access) black sea bass permit is December 15, 1997. Applications cannot be accepted after this date.
The black sea bass moratorium 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 be eligible for the moratorium permit, your vessel must meet the following eligibility criteria:
(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.
One of the best ways to prove that your vessel meets the eligibility criteria is to submit fish dealer receipts showing that your vessel landed black sea bass. The dealer receipts should identify the dealer, your vessel, the species landed (Black sea bass), and the date of the landing.
If you already received the moratorium permit or you have already applied, you do not need to
reapply. For more information, or to obtain an application form, please contact our Northeast
Fisheries Information Line at (978) 281-9278.
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