Beginning
March 26, 2007, vessels fishing for shrimp in federal waters
of the Gulf of Mexico must have a new GOM Moratorium Shrimp
Permit onboard. Additionally, vessels fishing for royal red
shrimp must also have a Royal Red Endorsement.
Open-access
shrimp permits currently in effect will no longer be valid
after March 25, 2007, even if the expiration date on it indicates
otherwise. The new permit will be the only valid permit for
shrimping in GOM federal waters beginning March 26, and the
new permit must be on the vessel.
Applications
for the new permit should be submitted at least 30 days before
it is desired. The deadline for submitting applications for
the new permit is Oct. 26, 2007.
Forms
that must be completed and submitted for the new shrimp moratorium
permit are available at http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sf/permits.htm.
