§ 300.13 - Vessel permits.

(a) Eligibility. (1) Any high seas fishing vessel of the United States is eligible to receive a permit under this subpart, unless the vessel was previously authorized to be used for fishing on the high seas by a foreign nation, and —

(i) The foreign nation suspended such authorization, because the vessel undermined the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures, and the suspension has not expired; or

(ii) The foreign nation, within the 3 years preceding application for a permit under this section, withdrew such authorization, because the vessel undermined the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures.

(2) The restrictions in paragraphs (a)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section do not apply if ownership of the vessel has changed since the vessel undermined the effectiveness of international conservation and management measures, and the new owner has provided sufficient evidence to the Regional Administrator demonstrating that the owner and operator at the time the vessel undermined the effectiveness of such measures has no further legal, beneficial, or financial interest in, or control of, the vessel.

(3) The restrictions in paragraphs (a)(1) (i) and (ii) of this section do not apply if it is determined by the Regional Administrator that issuing a permit would not subvert the purposes of the Agreement.

(b) Application forms. The owner or operator of a high seas fishing vessel may apply for a permit under this subpart by completing an application form. Applicants may obtain an application form from a Regional Administrator.

(c) Application information. An applicant must submit a complete and accurate permit application, signed by the owner or operator, to the appropriate Regional Administrator.

(d) Fees. NMFS will charge a fee to recover the administrative expenses of permit issuance. The amount of the fee will be determined in accordance with the procedures of the NOAA Finance Handbook, available from a Regional Administrator, for determining administrative costs of each special product or service. The fee is specified with the application form. The appropriate fee must accompany each application. Failure to pay the fee will preclude issuance of the permit. Payment by a commercial instrument later determined to be insufficiently funded will invalidate any permit.

(e) Issuance. (1) Except as provided in subpart D of 15 CFR part 904, the Regional Administrator will issue a permit, which will include appropriate conditions or restrictions, within 30 days of receipt of a completed application and payment of the appropriate fee.

(2) The Regional Administrator will notify the applicant of any deficiency in the application.

(f) Validity. Permits issued under this subpart are valid for 5 years from the date of issuance. Renewal of a permit prior to its expiration is the responsibility of the permit holder. For a permit to remain valid to its expiration date, the vessel's USCG documentation or state registration must be kept current. A permit issued under this subpart is void when the name of the owner or vessel changes, or in the event the vessel is no longer eligible for U.S. documentation, such documentation is revoked or denied, or the vessel is removed from such documentation.

(g) Change in application information. Any changes in vessel documentation status or other permit application information must be reported to the Regional Administrator in writing within 15 days of such changes.

(h) Transfer. A permit issued under this subpart is not transferable or assignable to another vessel or owner; it is valid only for the vessel and owner to which it is issued.

(i) Display. A valid permit, or a copy thereof, issued under this subpart must be on board the vessel while operating on the high seas and available for inspection by an authorized officer. Faxed copies of permits are acceptable.