680.4—Permits.

(a) General information. Persons participating in the CR fisheries are required to possess the permits described in this section.

(1) Approval. Approval of applications under this part may be conditioned on the payment of fees under § 680.44 or the submission of an EDR as described under § 680.6.

(2) Issuance. The Regional Administrator may issue or amend any permits under this section or under § 680.21 annually or at other times as needed under this part.

(3) Transfer. Crab QS and PQS permits issued under § 680.40 and Crab IFQ and IPQ permits issued under this section are transferable, as provided under § 680.41. Crab IFQ hired master permits, Federal crab vessel permits, and RCR permits issued under this section are not transferable.

(4) Inspection. The holder of a Federal crab vessel permit, crab IFQ permit, crab IPQ permit, or crab IFQ hired master permit, must present a legible copy of the permit on request of any authorized officer or RCR receiving a crab IFQ landing. A legible copy of the RCR permit must be present at the location of a crab IFQ landing and an individual representing the RCR must make the RCR permit available for inspection on request of any authorized officer.

(b) Crab QS permit. (1) Crab QS is issued by the Regional Administrator to persons who qualify for an initial allocation under § 680.40 or receive QS by transfer under § 680.41. Once issued, a crab QS permit is valid until modified under paragraph (b)(2) or (b)(3) of this section, or by transfer under § 680.41; or until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to § 679.43 of this chapter or under 15 CFR part 904. To qualify for a crab QS permit, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen.

(2) Each unit of Crab QS initially issued under § 680.40 for the Bering Sea Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) CR fishery shall be reissued as one unit of Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab (EBT) QS and one unit of Western Bering Sea Tanner crab (WBT) QS.

(3) A converted CPO QS permit is valid until the end of the crab fishing year for which the permit is issued.

(c) Crab PQS permit. (1) Crab PQS is issued by the Regional Administrator to persons who successfully apply for an initial allocation under § 680.40 or receive PQS by transfer under § 680.41. Once issued, a crab PQS permit is valid until modified under paragraph (c)(2) of this section, or by transfer under § 680.41; or until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to § 679.43 of this chapter or under 15 CFR part 904.

(2) Each unit of Crab PQS initially issued under § 680.40 for the Bering Sea Tanner crab (Chionoecetes bairdi) CR fishery shall be reissued as one unit of Eastern Bering Sea Tanner crab (EBT) PQS and one unit of Western Bering Sea Tanner crab (WBT) PQS.

(d) Crab IFQ permit. (1) A crab IFQ permit authorizes the person identified on the permit to harvest crab in the fishery identified on the permit at any time the fishery is open during the crab fishing year for which the permit is issued, subject to conditions of the permit. A crab IFQ permit is valid under the following circumstances:

(i) Until the end of the crab fishing year for which the permit is issued;

(ii) Until the amount harvested is equal to the amount specified on the permit;

(iii) Until the permit is modified by transfers under § 680.41; or

(iv) Until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to § 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904.

(2) A legible copy of the crab IFQ permit must be carried on board the vessel used by the permitted person at all times that IFQ crab are retained on board.

(3) On an annual basis, the Regional Administrator will issue a crab IFQ permit to a person who submits a complete annual application for a crab IFQ/IPQ permit, described at paragraph (f) of this section, that is subsequently approved by the Regional Administrator.

(4) To qualify for a crab IFQ permit, the applicant must be a U.S. Citizen.

(e) Crab IPQ permit. (1) A crab IPQ permit authorizes the person identified on the permit to receive/process the IFQ crab identified on the permit during the crab fishing year for which the permit is issued, subject to conditions of the permit. A crab IPQ permit is valid under the following circumstances:

(i) Until the end of the crab fishing year for which the permit is issued;

(ii) Until the amount received/processed is equal to the amount specified on the permit;

(iii) Until the permit is modified by transfers under § 680.41; or

(iv) Until the permit is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to § 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904.

(2) A legible copy of the crab IPQ permit authorizing receiving/processing of IFQ crab must be retained on the premises or vessel used by the permitted person to process the IFQ crab at all times that IFQ crab are retained on the premises or vessel.

(3) A crab IPQ permit is issued on an annual basis by the Regional Administrator to persons who hold crab PQS, and who have submitted a complete annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit, described at paragraph (f) of this section, that is subsequently approved by the Regional Administrator.

(f) Contents of annual application for crab IFQ/IPQ permit. (1) A complete application must be received by NMFS no later than August 1 of the crab fishing year for which a person is applying to receive IFQ or IPQ. If a complete application is not received by NMFS by this date, that person will not receive IFQ or IPQ for that crab fishing year.

(2) For the application to be considered complete, all fees required by NMFS must be paid, and any EDR required under § 680.6 must be submitted to the DCA. In addition, the applicant must include the following information:

(i) Applicant information. Enter applicant's name and NMFS Person ID; applicant's date of birth or, if a non-individual, date of incorporation; applicant's social security number (optional) or tax identification number; applicant's permanent business mailing address and any temporary mailing address the applicant wishes to use; and applicant's business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address.

(ii) Crab IFQ or IPQ permit identification. Indicate the type of crab IFQ or IPQ permit for which applicant is applying by QS fishery(ies) and indicate (YES or NO) whether applicant has joined a crab harvesting cooperative. If YES, indicate cooperative's name and ensure that this application is submitted by the applicant's cooperative with its completed application for an annual crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit.

(iii) Identification of ownership interests. If the applicant is not an individual, provide the names of all persons, to the individual level, holding an ownership interest in the entity and the percentage ownership each person and individual holds in the applicant.

(iv) Documentation of affiliation. Complete a documentation of affiliation declaring any and all affiliations, as the term “affiliation” is defined at § 680.2. A documentation of affiliation includes affirmations by the applicant pertaining to relationships that may involve direct or indirect ownership or control of the delivery of IFQ crab and any supplemental documentation deemed necessary by NMFS to determine whether an affiliation exists. Indicate whether any entity that holds PQS or IPQ is affiliated with the applicant, as affiliation is defined in § 680.2. If the applicant is considered affiliated, the applicant must provide a list of all PQS or IPQ holders with which he/she is affiliated, including full name, business mailing address, and business telephone number.

(v) Certification of applicant. The applicant must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. Print the name of the applicant. If the application is completed by an authorized representative, proof of authorization must accompany the application.

(g) Crab IFQ hired master permit. (1) A crab IFQ hired master permit is issued on an annual basis and authorizes the individual identified on the permit to harvest and land IFQ crab for debit against the specified crab IFQ permit until the crab IFQ hired master permit expires or is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to § 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904, or on request of the crab IFQ permit holder.

(2) A legible copy of the crab IFQ hired master permit must be on board the vessel used by the hired master to harvest IFQ crab at all times IFQ crab are retained on board. Except as specified in § 680.42, an individual who is issued a crab IFQ hired master permit must remain aboard the vessel used to harvest IFQ crab, specified under that permit, during the crab fishing trip and at the landing site until all crab harvested under that permit are offloaded and the landing report for IFQ crab is completed.

(h) Contents of application for crab IFQ hired master permit. In order for the application to be considered complete, a copy of the USCG Abstract Of Title or Certificate Of Documentation must be included with this application to demonstrate percent of vessel ownership by the IFQ permit holder. A complete application for a crab IFQ hired master permit must include the following information:

(1) Purpose of application. Indicate whether the application is to add or to delete a hired master and identification of crab IFQ permit(s) for which this application is submitted.

(2) IFQ permit holder information. Enter permit holder's name, NMFS Person ID, and social security number (optional) or tax identification number; permit holder's permanent or temporary business mailing address; and permit holder's business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available).

(3) Identification of vessel upon which crab IFQ will be harvested. Enter the vessel's name, ADF&G vessel registration number, and USCG documentation number. Indicate whether (YES or NO) the permit holder has at least a 10 percent ownership interest in the vessel the crab IFQ hired master will use to fish permit holder's IFQ crab. If YES, provide documentation of IFQ permit holder's 10 percent ownership interest.

(4) IFQ hired master permit holder information. Complete a separate section for each crab IFQ hired master. Enter the hired master's name, NMFS Person ID, social security number (optional) or tax identification number, and date of birth; hired master's permanent or temporary business mailing address; and hired master's business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available).

(5) Applicant certification. The applicant must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. If the application is completed by an authorized representative, then authorization must accompany the application.

(i) RCR permit. (1) An RCR permit is issued on an annual basis. An RCR permit is valid during the crab fishing year for which it is issued until the RCR permit expires or is revoked, suspended, or modified pursuant to § 679.43 or under 15 CFR part 904.

(2) An RCR permit is required for any person who receives unprocessed CR crab from the person(s) who harvested the crab, the owner or operator of a vessel that processes CR crab at sea, any person holding IPQ, and any person required to submit a Departure Report under 50 CFR 679.5(l)(4).

(j) Contents of application for RCR permit. For the application to be considered complete, all fees required by NMFS must be paid, and any EDR required under § 680.6 must be submitted to the DCA. In addition, the applicant must include the following information:

(1) Purpose of application. Indicate whether the application is a request for a new RCR permit, a renewal of an existing RCR permit, or an amendment to an existing RCR permit. If a renewal of or amendment to an existing RCR permit, include the applicant's RCR permit number.

(2) Applicant identification. Enter applicant's name and NMFS Person ID; applicant's social security number or tax ID number (required); name of contact person for the applicant, if applicant is not an individual; applicant's permanent business mailing address; and business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available).

(3) Type of activity. Select type of receiving or processing activity and whether catcher/processor or shoreside processor.

(4) Individual responsible for submission of EDR. Enter the name of the designated representative submitting the EDR on behalf of the RCR, if an EDR is required at § 680.6. If different from the RCR's contact information, also enter the designated representative's business mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available).

(5) Application certification. The applicant must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. If the application is completed by an authorized representative, then proof of authorization must accompany the application.

(k) Federal crab vessel permit. The owner of a vessel must have a Federal crab vessel permit on board that vessel when used to fish for CR crab.

(1) A Federal crab vessel permit is issued on an annual basis to the owner of the vessel and is in effect from the date of issuance through the end of the crab fishing year for which the permit was issued, unless it is revoked, suspended, or modified under § 600.735 or § 600.740.

(2) A Federal crab vessel permit may not be surrendered at any time during the crab fishing year for which it was issued.

(3) A Federal crab vessel permit issued under this paragraph is not transferable or assignable and is valid only for the vessel for which it is issued.

(4) To qualify for a Federal crab vessel permit, the applicant must be a U.S. Citizen.

(5) The holder of a Federal crab vessel permit must submit an amended application for a Federal crab vessel permit within 10 days of the date of change in: the ownership of the vessel (a copy of the current USCG documentation for the vessel showing the change in ownership must accompany the amended application), or the individual responsible for submission of the EDR on behalf of the vessel's owner(s).

(l) Contents of application for federal crab vessel permit. For the application to be considered complete, all fees required by NMFS must be paid, and any EDR required under § 680.6 must be submitted to the DCA. Also, if ownership of the vessel has changed or if the permit application for a vessel to which a Federal crab vessel permit has never been issued, a copy of the USCG Abstract Of Title or Certificate Of Documentation. In addition the applicant must include the following information:

(1) Purpose of application. Indicate whether the application is a request for a new permit, a renewal of an existing permit, or an amendment to an existing permit. If a renewal of or amendment to an existing permit, include the current Federal crab vessel permit number.

(2) Contact owner information. The name(s), permanent business mailing address, social security number (voluntary) or tax ID number, business telephone number, business facsimile number, business e-mail address (if available) of all vessel owners, and the name of any person or company (other than the owner) that manages the operation of the vessel.

(3) Vessel information. Enter the vessel's name and home port (city and state); ADF&G processor code, if vessel is a catcher/processor or stationary floating crab processor; whether a vessel of the United States; USCG documentation number; ADF&G vessel registration number; and vessel's LOA (in feet), registered length (in feet), gross tonnage, net tonnage, and shaft horsepower. Indicate all types of operations the vessel may conduct during a crab fishing year.

(4) Designated representative for EDR. Enter the name of the designated representative who is responsible for completion and submission of the EDR, and the representative's business mailing address, telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address (if available).

(5) Applicant certification. The applicant must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. Print the applicant name. If the application is completed by an authorized representative, then authorization must accompany the application.

(m) Annual crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit. See § 680.21.

(n) Contents of annual application for converted CPO QS/IFQ permit. (1) A complete application must be received by NMFS no later than August 1 of the crab fishing year for which a person or crab harvesting cooperative is applying to receive converted CPO QS and the IFQ derived from that converted CPO QS. If a complete application is not received by NMFS by this date, that person or crab harvesting cooperative will not receive converted CPO QS and the IFQ derived from that converted CPO QS for that crab fishing year.

(ii) To receive converted CPO QS/IFQ this application must be accompanied by a timely and complete application for crab IFQ/IPQ described at paragraph (f) of this section or a timely and complete application for a crab harvesting cooperative IFQ permit described at paragraph (m) of this section.

(i) Entity identification. Indicate the entity (Entity A, B, or C) described in § 680.40(c)(5)(ii) through (c)(5)(iv) for which you are applying to receive converted CPO QS.

(ii) Applicant information. Enter applicant's name and NMFS Person ID; applicant's permanent business mailing address and any temporary mailing address the applicant wishes to use; and applicant's business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address.

(A) For Entity A or B:

(1) Identify the amount of CVO QS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO QS; and

(2) Identify the amount of PQS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery initially issued to you by NMFS with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO QS.

(B) For Entity C:

(1) Identify the amount of CVO QS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery initially issued to you by NMFS with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO QS; and

(2) Identify the amount of PQS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO QS.

(iii) Affiliate information for Entities A and B. (A) For Entities A and B described in § 680.40(c)(5)(ii) and (c)(5)(iii), indicate the permanent business mailing address and any temporary mailing address, business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address of any person who is affiliated with you based on information provided in an annual application for IFQ/IPQ that is approved by the Regional Administrator for that crab fishing year

(B) Indicate the amount of PQS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery initially issued to that person with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO QS.

(C) Indicate the amount of CVO QS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery with a North Region designation held by the affiliate for issuance as converted CPO QS.

(iv) Affiliate information for Entity C. (A) For Entity C described in § 680.40(c)(5)(iv), indicate the permanent business mailing address and any temporary mailing address, business telephone number, facsimile number, and e-mail address of any person who is affiliated with you based on information provided in an annual application for IFQ/IPQ that is approved by the Regional Administrator for that crab fishing year.

(B) Indicate the amount of PQS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO QS.

(C) Indicate the amount of CVO QS in either the BBR or BSS crab QS fishery initially issued to the affiliate with a North Region designation for issuance as converted CPO QS.

(v) Certification of applicant and affiliates. The applicant and any persons who are affiliated with the applicant and named on the application must sign and date the application certifying that all information is true, correct, and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief. If the application is completed by an authorized representative, proof of authorization must accompany the application.

[70 FR 10241, Mar. 2, 2005, as amended at 71 FR 32864, June 7, 2006; 73 FR 29982, May 23, 2008; 73 FR 76189, Dec. 15, 2008]