Canadian Vessels Seek Permit for Maine Salmon Cross-Border Haul
Published Date: 12/5/2025
Notice
Summary
The government is reviewing a request from Canadian companies to move farmed salmon from Maine waters to Canada using Canadian boats. They want your thoughts by December 19, 2025, before deciding if U.S. boats can do the job instead. This could affect fishing businesses and how seafood gets shipped across borders.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
U.S. Boats Get First Right to Haul
Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, NMFS cannot approve a non-U.S. vessel transshipment permit until it determines that no U.S. vessel owner or operator with adequate capacity has indicated interest in doing the transport at fair and reasonable rates. If you own or operate a U.S. fishing or transport vessel in Maine, you can indicate interest before NMFS decides whether to approve foreign vessels.
Canadian Vessels Seek To Move Maine Salmon
True North Salmon Limited Partnership, Kelly Cove Salmon Limited, and 697002 NB, Inc. applied for a permit to have five Canadian-flagged vessels pick up farmed salmon from U.S. farm pens in Maine waters (within 12 nautical miles of Maine's seaward boundary) and carry them to Blacks Harbour, Canada for processing. NMFS previously issued permits for the same vessels for calendar year 2025 that expire December 31, 2025.
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