Amendment 80: Compliance, Permits, Access, and Future

Do you run a commercial fishing operation in or around Alaska and want to get as much out of your work as possible? Are you looking for a better way to get into compliance with Amendment 80 or just want to know more about it? At the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we offer a better way to take care of fishing permits all around the United States and the EEZ. That said, there’s as much (if not more) opportunity in Alaska than anywhere else. Of course, you can find all of the permits you’ll need pertaining to this amendment (and other regulations) at our site. 

Amendment 80 Explained 

To simplify it, for the last 13-plus years, this amendment has allocated certain species to the processor sector while also allowing qualified vessels to form cooperatives. For some species, it establishes sideboard limits. Those restrictions are based upon historical participation, specifically participation between the years of 2004 and 1998.  There are some types of vessel which are exempt from the halibut PSC sideboard limits, while some vessels won’t be able to participate in the GOA flatfish fishery. We understand how this can be a bit confusing. So, if you have any questions, we strongly encourage you to reach out to our helpful, trained staff. 

The Species Covered by the Amendment 

One of the major reasons that this amendment is such a big deal is that it covers so many species. While they all come under the general heading of “Alaska Groundfish,” the species covered by this program include flathead sole, rock sole, Bering Strait and Aleutian Islands (BSAI) yellowfin sole, Atka mackerel, Aleutian Islands Pacific Ocean, as well as some Pacific cod, Pacific ocean perch, pollock, northern rockfish, pelagic shelf rockfish, and others. As you can see, there’s plenty of opportunity in being in compliance with the amendment. 

What We Offer 

At the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we understand that not all vessels are going to have the same needs when it comes to being in compliance with the amendment. So, we offer many different eFish forms that pertain to the amendment. Whether you want a Flatfish Exchange Application, or a Quota Share Application, Quota Share Transfer Application, Limited Access Permit, Cooperative Quota Permit Application, Intercooperative Transfer Cooperative Quota, Vessel Replacement, or others, you can find the forms you need right here. 

Commercial Fishing Permits in Alaska and Beyond 

To wit, you can find the forms you need at our site for far more than just this amendment. After all, as mentioned, there is plenty of fishing in and around Alaska. Our site is full of forms that will help you to get in compliance, then, you can return to our site to renew them, too. As we’ve fully optimized our site for mobile, you can fill out these forms from just about anywhere you have a connection to the internet. You can even be at the dock or out on the water. Any questions? We’re happy to answer them at (866) 292-4204.