## April 15, 2007 

Dear [Atlantic Tunas]{.underline}, [Atlantic HMS Angling]{.underline},
or [Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat]{.underline} Permit Applicant or
Renewal Applicant:

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) issues Federal fisheries
permits to all vessels fishing for Atlantic tunas and to recreational
vessels and Charter/Headboats fishing for any Highly Migratory Species
(HMS - Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish, and billfish). The 2007/2008
permits are valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2008.
The enclosed package provides the form you need to purchase a new permit
or renew an existing one, and the instructions for completing the form.

### How to Apply

To submit an initial (new) or renewal application, you may:

-   Complete an online application at:
    [www.hmspermits.gov](http://www.hmspermits/).

-   Complete the application form and submit it by mail with your
    payment.

-   Complete a renewal using your phone by calling (888) USA-TUNA
    (872-8862).

The renewal process is easy: only enter information if it has changed
from the previous permit.

Using the Internet allows you to print your permit immediately.
Otherwise, you may have your permit delivered by Priority Mail (at an
additional charge of \$4.05), regular mail, or fax.

**Important information regarding Atlantic Tunas and Atlantic HMS
Charter/Headboat Permits:**

*Atlantic tunas, Atlantic HMS Angling, and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat
permits -* **NMFS no longer requires submission of copies of the
following with the permit application: vessel documentation or state
registration, Certificate/Articles of Incorporation, Partnership
Agreement, or Annual Report.** However, a copy of the vessel\'s valid
U.S. Coast Guard documentation or, if not documented, a copy of its
valid state registration [must]{.underline} be carried onboard the
vessel. If the vessel is owned by a corporation or partnership, the
owner must maintain the required corporate or partnership documents.

*Charter/Headboat permits -*

-   The owner of a charterboat or headboat used to fish for, take,
    retain, or possess any Atlantic HMS **[must]{.underline}** obtain an
    Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit.

-   While persons aboard a vessel that has been issued an Atlantic HMS
    Charter/Headboat permit are fishing for or are in possession of
    Atlantic HMS, the operator of the vessel must have a valid Merchant
    Marine License or Uninspected Passenger Vessel License. **You do not
    need to submit a copy of this license to obtain your permit but the
    license [must]{.underline} be carried onboard the vessel.**

**Initial vs. Renewal Applications:**

If you need a permit for a vessel that is **[new to you]{.underline}**,
even if the previous owner held an Atlantic tunas, Atlantic HMS Angling,
and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit, you must fill out an
\'initial\' application in your name with your information.

**Permit Category changes:**

**Due to the extended duration of the permit, changes to you permit
category may be made under the following circumstances: a) When you
renew the permit for the upcoming season; b) During the time period of
January 1 -- May 31, 2008; and c) Within 10-calendar days from the
permits' date of issuance, to correct any Number range CHAPTERerrors in
permit category.**

**Multiple vessels:**

If you own more than one vessel, please make copies of the blank form
and submit a separate form/payment for each vessel. If you are renewing
your permit, you may check your permit information first via the
Internet ([www.hmspermits.gov](http://www.hmspermits/)) or by phoning
the automated permit system at (888) USA-TUNA (872-8862).

**Payment and Mailing Address:**

If you are paying by credit card, please complete Section 5 "Payment &
Delivery Section" of the application. We accept Visa, Master Card,
Discover, and American Express. If you are paying by money order, make
the money order payable to "NMFS Permits" in the amount of \$28.00.
**All other forms of payment may be returned to you, delaying the
processing of your order.** Mail your application(s) and payment(s) to:

# NOAA PERMITS, P.O. Box 979016, St. Louis, MO 63197-9000

**Processing your order:**

NMFS will process your order within 3 business days of receiving a
complete application (including payment). Please indicate on your
application if you would like to receive your permit by Priority Mail
(add \$4.05 for S&H), regular mail, or fax, or if you prefer to print
the permit from your computer via the Internet at
[www.hmspermits.gov](http://www.hmspermits/). This last option allows
you to print the permit yourself once it has been processed (about 3
business days after your phone renewal or your application, including
payment, has been received).

**Questions:**

If you have any questions concerning the processing of your permit,
please phone (888) USA-TUNA (872-8862) and select the Customer Service
option. Customer Service representatives are available Monday-Friday
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time. You may also view the status of your
permit via the Internet at [www.hmspermits.gov](http://www.hmspermits/).

For questions regarding Atlantic tuna, Atlantic HMS Angling, or Atlantic
HMS Charter/Headboat regulations, contact the Highly Migratory Species
Management Division at (978) 281-9260.

Sincerely,

![](media/image1.png){width="3.05625in" height="0.8861111111111111in"}

Margo Schulze-Haugen

> Chief, HMS Management Division
>
> National Marine Fisheries Service

<table>
<colgroup>
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 6%" />
<col style="width: 2%" />
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</colgroup>
<tbody>
<tr class="odd">
<td colspan="34"><p><strong>NATIONAL OCEANIC &amp; ATMOSPHERIC
ADMINISTRATION</strong></p>
<p><strong>ATLANTIC TUNAS &amp; ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY
SPECIES</strong></p>
<p><strong>PERMIT APPLICATION</strong></p>
<p><strong><span class="smallcaps">(READ INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO
COMPLETING THE INITIAL APPLICATION)</span></strong></p></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="31"><strong>SECTION 1 – OWNER INFORMATION</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="7">Owner Type (choose one):</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="7">Individual</td>
<td></td>
<td colspan="7">Partnership</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="3">Corporation</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="12">Owner or Corporation Name (if more than one individual,
circle name of primary contact):</td>
<td colspan="10"></td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="5">Street Address:</td>
<td colspan="26"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td>City:</td>
<td colspan="12"></td>
<td colspan="5">State</td>
<td colspan="7"></td>
<td colspan="2">Zip</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="5">Daytime Phone:</td>
<td colspan="5"></td>
<td colspan="8">Evening Phone:</td>
<td colspan="7"></td>
<td colspan="3">Fax:</td>
<td colspan="3"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="31"><strong>SECTION 2 – VESSEL INFORMATION</strong></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14">Vessel Name (if vessel is unnamed, write
“unnamed”):</td>
<td colspan="17"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="10">Coast Guard Documentation Number:</td>
<td colspan="8"></td>
<td colspan="9">State Registration Number:</td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="3">Home Port:</td>
<td colspan="9"></td>
<td colspan="11">Principal Port, if different:</td>
<td colspan="8"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="4"></td>
<td colspan="8"><sup>(City, State)</sup></td>
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td colspan="13"><sup>(City, State)</sup></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="4">Vessel Length:</td>
<td colspan="8"></td>
<td colspan="9">Year Built:</td>
<td colspan="10"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="4">Crew Size:</td>
<td colspan="8"><sup>(to nearest foot)</sup></td>
<td colspan="10">Construction:</td>
<td colspan="9"> Wood Fiberglass Steel Other</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="5">Gross Tonnage:</td>
<td colspan="7"></td>
<td colspan="10">Propulsion:</td>
<td colspan="9"> Gasoline Diesel Other</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="6">Main Engine Horsepower:</td>
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td colspan="12">Hold Capacity, if applicable:</td>
<td colspan="7"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="8"></td>
<td colspan="16"></td>
<td colspan="7"><sup>(pounds)</sup></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="20">Number of Passengers licensed to carry for
Charter/Headboat: 6 or less</td>
<td colspan="11">OR Number, if more than 6: ___________</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="19"></td>
<td colspan="12"></td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="32"><strong>SECTION 3 – ATLANTIC TUNAS &amp; HMS CATEGORY
INFORMATION</strong></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14"><u>Category <em>(check only one)</em></u></td>
<td colspan="18"><u>Primary Gear Type <em>(check only one)</em></u></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14"> Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat……………...…...</td>
<td colspan="6"> Rod &amp; Reel</td>
<td colspan="12"> Handline Bandit gear Speargun</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14"> Atlantic HMS Angling (Recreational)….....….……</td>
<td colspan="6"> Rod &amp; Reel</td>
<td colspan="11"> Handline Speargun</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14"> Atlantic Tunas General……………….……………</td>
<td colspan="6"> Rod &amp; Reel</td>
<td colspan="11"> Handline Harpoon Bandit gear</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14"> Atlantic Tunas Harpoon…………………………...</td>
<td colspan="6">(Harpoon only)</td>
<td colspan="11"></td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14"> Atlantic Tunas Longline………………………...…</td>
<td colspan="17">(Limited Access: Longline only)</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="14"> Atlantic Tunas Trap ……………………………….</td>
<td colspan="6"> Pound Net</td>
<td colspan="11"> Fish Weir</td>
<td></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="32"><strong>SECTION 4 – OWNER’S SIGNATURE</strong> The
undersigned is the owner or legally-authorized agent of the owner of the
vessel named in Section 1 above. Issuance of a permit in one of the
commercial categories (categories other than Angling) subjects a vessel
to applicable requirements of the Fishing Vessel Safety Act of 1988 (46
CFR 25.28). Call the U.S. Coast Guard for details (see instructions for
phone numbers).</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="8"></td>
<td colspan="3">Signature:</td>
<td colspan="21"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="2">Date:</td>
<td colspan="6"></td>
<td colspan="3">Print Name:</td>
<td colspan="21"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="8"></td>
<td colspan="24"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="32"><p><strong>SECTION 5 – PAYMENT/DELIVERY
INFORMATION:</strong> There is a $28.00 fee for the Atlantic tunas &amp;
Atlantic HMS permits. Note delivery surcharge below. Mail this
application and payment to: <strong>NOAA Permits, P.O. Box 979016, St.
Louis, MO 63197-9000</strong></p>
<p> Check if paying by money order/certified check <strong>(Make payable
to NMFS Permits) <em>* </em></strong><em>Please see notice at end of
application.</em></p></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="32"> Check if paying by credit card and fill out the
information below:</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="30">Credit Card Type (check one): Visa MasterCard Discover
American Express</td>
<td colspan="2"></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="15">Account Number:</td>
<td colspan="17">Expiration Date (MM/YY):</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="15">Card Holder Name:</td>
<td colspan="17">Signature:</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="odd">
<td></td>
<td colspan="15">Billing address for credit card, if different than
address above:</td>
<td colspan="17">Date:</td>
<td></td>
</tr>
<tr class="even">
<td></td>
<td colspan="15"><p><strong>DELIVERY OPTIONS (CHECK ONE):</strong></p>
<p> Send permit by Priority Mail at additional charge of $4.05</p></td>
<td colspan="17"><p> Fax permit to number indicated in Section 1</p>
<p> Send permit by regular mail</p>
<p> I will print my permit from the Internet once processed</p></td>
<td></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

FEDERAL ATLANTIC TUNAS & ATLANTIC HMS CHARTER/HEADBOAT PERMIT
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

An Atlantic tunas permit is required to fish commercially for bluefin,
yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack tunas. An Atlantic HMS Angling
permit is required for all owners/operators of recreational vessels
fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
(Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean,
including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea. An Atlantic HMS
Charter/Headboat permit is required for all charter or headboat vessels
fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species
in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.
Please complete the attached application/renewal form and return to the
address indicated at the bottom of the form. If your
application/renewal, including payment, is complete, your permit will be
mailed, faxed, or available to print (depending on your preferred
delivery method) within 3 business days. Questions on the permit
application/renewal process, call (888) USA-TUNA (872-8862); for tuna
fisheries regulations: (978) 281-9260; for Fishing Vessel Safety Act
regulations see phone numbers below.

The following information is provided to help you complete the
application/renewal form.

-   A permit may be owned by more than one person, but the owner
    information should match the owner information on the vessel's state
    registration or U.S. Coast Guard documentation. If more than one
    person is listed, please indicate the person who will be the primary
    point of contact for the permit.

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-   If you would like your permit faxed, please indicate the appropriate
    fax number in Section 1 and select the fax option in Section 5. If
    you would like to print your permit from your printer via the
    Internet ([www.hmsspermits.gov](http://www.hmsspermits.gov/)) once
    the permit is processed (approximately 3 business days), select the
    print option in Section 5.

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-   If your vessel is unnamed, write "unnamed" in the space for Vessel
    Name in Section 2.

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-   The vessel's home port refers to the port where the vessel is
    located for most of the year. The principal port refers to the port
    where the majority of the vessel's landings occur. The vessel's home
    and principal port may be different.

-   If your vessel is constructed of more than one material, choose
    "other". Please check only one box.

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-   You do not need to submit copies of state registration or U.S. Coast
    Guard documentation as NMFS no longer requires submission of copies
    with the permit application. However, a copy of the vessel\'s valid
    U.S. Coast Guard documentation or, if not documented, a copy of its
    valid state registration [must]{.underline} be carried on board the
    vessel and must match the information on the Atlantic tunas or
    Atlantic HMS permit.

-   For vessels owned by a partnership or corporation, you do not need
    to submit a copy of the letter of partnership or articles of
    incorporation, but you are advised to maintain the corporate or
    partnership document in your files and must furnish the document to
    NOAA Fisheries Service upon request.

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```
-   For Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permits, you do not need to submit
    a copy of a captain's license as NOAA Fisheries Service no longer
    requires submission of a copy with the permit application. However,
    while persons aboard a vessel that has been issued an Atlantic HMS
    Charter/Headboat permit are fishing for or are in possession of
    Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish, the operator of
    the vessel [must]{.underline} have a valid Merchant Marine License
    or Uninspected Passenger Vessel License, issued by the U.S. Coast
    Guard; **this license [must]{.underline} be carried on board the
    vessel.**

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-   Commercial vessels are subject to the Fishing Vessel Safety Act
    of 1988. For information, contact the U.S. Coast Guard office in
    your district:

Maine to New York (617) 223-8315 South Carolina to Florida (305)
415-6868

New Jersey to North Carolina (757) 398-6554 Gulf of Mexico (504)
589-4554

-   You may select only [ONE]{.underline} permit category per permit.
    You may change this category when: a) renewing a permit; b) During
    the time period of January 1 -- May 31, 2008; or c) within
    10-calendar days from the date of issuance to correct any potential
    errors in the permit category. Therefore, once you have obtained
    your permit check it immediately to ensure it's accuracy.

**[INFORMATION REGARDING CATEGORIES:]{.underline}**

**[COMMERCIAL CATEGORIES]{.underline}**: Commercial size tuna taken
under any of these categories may be sold.

Minimum sizes for sale: **Atlantic bluefin tuna:** ≥ 73 inches total
curved fork length (CFL)

**Yellowfin and bigeye tuna:** ≥ 27 inches CFL **Other tunas:**
[no]{.underline} minimum sizes

> **ATLANTIC HMS CHARTER/HEADBOAT:** Owners of charter boats or
> headboats used to fish for, take, retain, or possess Atlantic tunas,
> sharks, swordfish, and billfish must obtain this permit. For bluefin
> tuna, anglers aboard Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat-permitted vessels
> may collectively fish under either the Angling or General category
> daily retention limit, but not both on the same day. Commercial size
> tunas taken aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic HMS Charter/
> Headboat category may be sold to licensed dealers only. Authorized
> gear: rod & reel (including downriggers), handline, bandit gear and
> spearguns (recreational only, no bluefin). For further information
> regarding Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permits please call the
> Northeast Regional Office HMS Division at (978) 281-9260.
>
> **ATLANTIC TUNAS LONGLINE:** Vessel owners conducting longline
> operations that may result in the incidental taking of large medium
> and giant bluefin or in the directed/incidental taking of other
> Atlantic tunas must obtain this permit. The number of Longline permits
> is LIMITED, i.e., a vessel owner seeking to obtain a Longline permit
> must obtain a Longline permit from a qualified permit holder.
> IMPORTANT: A total of 3 permits must be obtained to use longlines to
> fish for tunas: a swordfish, shark, and tuna Longline permits. The
> shark and swordfish permits may be either directed or incidental.
> Directed swordfish and shark permits are subject to upgrading and
> ownership restrictions. For further information on swordfish and shark
> regulations, please call the Highly Migratory Species Management
> Division at (301) 713-2347. For information on transfer and upgrading
> procedures, please call the Southeast Regional Office Permits Division
> at (727) 824-5236. Authorized gear: longline only.
>
> **ATLANTIC TUNAS TRAP:** Vessel owners who conduct trap operations
> that may result in the incidental taking of large medium and giant BFT
> must obtain this permit. Note that only one bluefin per year may
> retained. Authorized gear: pound nets and fish weirs.
>
> **ATLANTIC TUNAS GENERAL:** Vessel owners who harvest Atlantic tunas,
> including large medium and giant bluefin, by handgear and plan to sell
> the tuna must obtain this permit. Authorized gear: rod & reel
> (including downriggers), handline, harpoon, and bandit gear. For
> further information regarding General category regulations please call
> the Northeast Regional Office HMS Division at (978) 281-9260.
>
> **ATLANTIC TUNAS HARPOON:** Vessel owners who conduct a commercial
> harpoon fishery for Atlantic tunas, including large medium and giant
> bluefin, must obtain this permit. Vessels permitted in the Harpoon
> category may not participate in the General category fishery. For
> further information regarding Harpoon category regulations please call
> the Northeast Regional Office HMS Division at (978) 281-9260.
> Authorized gear: Harpoon only.

**[RECREATIONAL CATEGORY]{.underline}**. Atlantic HMS taken under the
Angling category size and retention limits MAY NOT be sold.

Minimum sizes for possession: **Atlantic bluefin tuna:** ≥ 27 inches CFL

> **Yellowfin and bigeye tuna:** ≥ 27 inches CFL
>
> **Other tunas:** [no]{.underline} minimum sizes

**Sharks:** ≥ 54 inches FL

**Swordfish:** ≥ 47 inches LJFL

**Blue marlin:** ≥ 99 inches LJFL

**White marlin:** ≥ 66 inches LJFL

**Sailfish:** ≥ 63 inches LJFL

**ATLANTIC HMS ANGLING:** Private recreational vessels used to fish for,
take, retain, or possess Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish, and billfish
must obtain this permit. All bluefin must be reported within 24 hours of
landing to NMFS by calling (888) 872-8862 or accessing the
[www.hmspermits.gov](http://www.hmspermits.gov/) website. If bluefin are
landed in the states of North Carolina or Maryland, they should be
reported to a reporting station prior to removing fish from the vessel.
Information about the state harvest tagging programs, including
reporting station locations, can be obtained in North Carolina by
calling (800) 338-7804, and in Maryland by calling (410) 213-1531.
Authorized gear: rod & reel (including downriggers), handline, and
spearguns (except for bluefin). For further information regarding
Angling category permits please call the Northeast Regional Office HMS
Division at (978) 281-9260.

**PAPERWORK REDUCTION ACT STATEMENT**: Collection of information through
annual permitting serves three purposes: (1) it provides current
information on the vessel owners participating in the Atlantic tuna
fisheries; (2) it provides an up-to-date sampling frame that is the
basis for fleet size calculations used for catch and effort estimates in
fisheries that do not require mandatory reporting, thus enabling the
U.S. to meet international obligations to report catch statistics for
Atlantic tunas; and (3) aids NOAA Fisheries Service in the enforcement
of fishery regulations. Public reporting burden for this initial permit
application of information is estimated to average 30 minutes per
response, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing
data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completed &
reviewing the collection of information. Permit renewals are
accomplished by using an automated phone system at (888) 872-8862 or by
accessing the web site at www.nmfspermits.com. Public reporting burden
for renewal by telephone or web is estimated to average 6 minutes per
response. Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other
aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for
reducing this burden to: National Marine Fisheries Service, F/SF1, 1315
East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910. Providing the requested
information in the permit application is mandatory for managing the
Atlantic tuna fisheries in accordance with the Atlantic Tunas Convention
Act (16 U.S.C. 971 et seq.) and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery
Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). It is agency
policy not to release confidential information, other than in aggregate
form, as the Magnuson-Stevens Act protects (in perpetuity) the
confidentiality of those submitting information. Summaries of permit
information by category may be released. Notwithstanding any other
provision of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any
person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection
of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction
Act, unless that collection of information displays a currently valid
OMB Control Number. This is an approved information collection under OMB
#0648-0327 and expires September 30, 2008.

**Notice to Customers Making Payment by Check**

If you send us a check, it will be converted into an electronic funds
transfer (EFT). This means we will copy your check and use the account
information on it to electronically debit your account for the amount of
the check. The debit from your account will usually occur within 24
hours, and will be shown on your regular account statement.

You will not receive your original check back. We will destroy your
original check, but we will keep the copy of it. If the EFT cannot be
processed for technical reasons, the copy will be processed in place of
your original check.