# 2026-00356: New Permits Allow Eco Buoy Gear for West Coast Swordfish Fishing

2026-00356, Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Highly Migratory Species; Notice, is a Federal Register notice from Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published 2026-01-12, effective 2026-02-01 (as of 2026-06-08).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00356
- As of: 2026-06-08
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Document number: 2026-00356
- Title: Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; Fisheries Off West Coast States; Pacific Highly Migratory Species; Notice
- Type: Notice
- Agencies: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Citation: 91 FR 1136
- Published: 2026-01-12
- Effective: 2026-02-01
- Comments close: not stated
- Significant: no
- Touches household money: no
- Regulation identifier numbers: none
- Last updated: 2026-06-08

## In one line

New Permits Allow Eco Buoy Gear for West Coast Swordfish Fishing

## Summary

Starting February 1, 2026, fishermen off the West Coast can apply for special permits to use deep-set buoy gear, a new fishing method that helps catch swordfish while protecting other sea creatures. These permits are limited and part of a careful plan to keep fishing fair and sustainable. If you want in, don’t miss the March 31 deadline to apply and boost your fishing game!

## Abstract

NMFS announces the opening of the 2026 permit application period for initial issuance of limited entry deep-set buoy gear permits under qualification Tier 9. Authorized through implementation of Amendment 6 to the Fishery Management Plan for U.S. West Coast Fisheries for Highly Migratory Species and its implementing regulations, Tier 9 was established as the final tier in a ranking system for issuance of limited entry deep-set buoy gear permits. Tier 9 permits for deep-set buoy gear will be available through the National Permits System.

## Effects PRIA read

- Permit Applications Open Feb 1–Mar 31, 2026: benefit, high. You can apply for a limited entry deep-set buoy gear (DSBG) permit starting February 1, 2026 through March 31, 2026. Submit a complete application through the National Permits System by 11:59 p.m. Pacific daylight time on March 31, 2026 to be considered.
- Annual Limit: 25 Permits Per Year Until 300: cost, medium. NMFS will issue up to 25 Tier 9 limited entry DSBG permits each year until a total of 300 permits are issued. Permits are issued first-come, first-served by application date/time; if more than 25 are approved in a year, approved applicants above 25 get priority the following year by their applicati…
- Application Rules, Eligibility, Documentation, Fees: cost, low. To qualify for a Tier 9 LE DSBG permit you must be a “person” as defined in Sec. 660.702 and must not already own a LE DSBG permit individually or as a shareholder in a business that owns one. A complete application (initial issuance form, U.S. Coast Guard documentation or state vessel registration…
- DSBG Authorized to Boost Fishery Viability: benefit, medium. Deep-set buoy gear (DSBG) is authorized as an additional commercial gear type under Amendment 6 to help improve the economic viability of the West Coast-based swordfish fishery while minimizing bycatch. Tier 9 implements the final phase of a phased-in limited entry permitting regime for DSBG in Fed…

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## Sources
- [2026-00356 on federalregister.gov](https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/01/12/2026-00356/magnuson-stevens-act-provisions-fisheries-off-west-coast-states-pacific-highly-migratory-species)
- [2026-00356 as published (PDF)](https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/FR-2026-01-12/pdf/2026-00356.pdf)

## Related
- [Previous: 2026-00355, Visiting Committee on Advanced Technology](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00355)
- [Next: 2026-00358, Privacy Act of 1974; Notice of a Modified System of Records](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00358)
- [All Federal Register documents](https://policyrisk.com/federal-register)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/federal-register/2026-00356 (as of 2026-06-08).