Instructions for Fish Transporters
Authorization
The Fish Transporter Permit authorizes you to transport and sell commercially taken salmon, herring, or Pacific cod, and any fish legally taken in the harvest of those species, as an agent of the commercial fishermen who caught the fish. "Fish" is defined as fish legally harvested and retained in commercial salmon, herring or Pacific cod fisheries. Transporting legally harvested fish can occur by vessel, aircraft, vehicle, four wheeler, etc.
Keep the Fish Transporter Permit with you at all times during the transport and sale of fish. If requested by the fisherman, fish buyer, peace officer, or representative of the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G), present the transporter permit for inspection and a photo identification card issued to you by a state or federal agency or other organization designated by ADF&G or Public Safety.
License and Permit Requirements
A person operating as a fish transporter must have a Fish Transporter Permit issued by ADF&G. Fish transporter permits expire on December 31 of the year in which they are issued, and must be renewed annually. Fish Transporter Permits are valid only for the person named on the permit; they may not be transferred or used by someone else.
A vessel used to transport fish under the Fish Transporter Permit must have a valid commercial fishing vessel license issued by the Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission (CFEC). This includes skiffs transporting salmon from set net sites if the CFEC permit holder is not present in the skiff at the time that he fish is being transported. Vessel license application forms are available online at http://www.cfec.state.ak.us/ or by calling (907) 789-6160.
The fish transporter and any crewmembers working on fish transport vessels must have crewmember licenses. Crewmember licenses may be purchased online from ADF&G at https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/store/, through a licensed vendor, or by calling (907) 465-2376. Crewmember licenses are only required if transporting fish aboard a vessel. Float plane, airplane, vehicle and four wheeler operators do not require crewmember licenses.
Transport of incidentally caught halibut and sablefish is regulated by NOAA Fisheries and must comply with IFQ regulations. Landing of IFQ halibut or sablefish must be reported electronically at the site of transfer. If you are considering transporting IFQ species, contact your local NOAA Fisheries office or 800-304-4846 before accepting any fish.
Transport of any federally managed groundfish species, whether in the EEZ or state waters, also requires federal permits and additional federal reporting. For details and necessary permits contact your local NOAA Fisheries office or 800-304-4846.
Operating Requirements
If required, fish transporters must register, before transporting any fish, with the area management biologist or designated department representative for the area in which the fish are taken for transport. Fish transporters are required to familiarize themselves with the fish ticket and other harvest reporting requirements for the area in which they will be transporting fish from and to comply with those requirements. Individual management areas may have differing reporting requirements. Contact the local ADF&G office in the area you intend to operate for area regulations, registration information and other requirements specific to that area.
Before moving to another area, or ceasing operations, a fish transporter must notify the area management biologist or designated department representative, in the area in which they have been transporting fish, when the transporter is ceasing operations or moving to another area.
Fish transporters may only transport fish from a person who holds a CFEC commercial fishing permit for the species, area, and gear type used to harvest the fish being transported, or a landing permit issued by CFEC.
In the Bristol Bay management area, a fishing vessel registered to fish in Bristol Bay may not transport salmon outside the boundaries of the fishing district in which the fish were harvested. A fishing vessel registered in Bristol Bay may transport fish for permit holders to a processing plant or buyer within the fishing district in which the fish were harvested. A vessel not registered to fish in Bristol Bay that does not have fishing gear on board, may transport to other fishing districts. ALL fish transporters must contact ADF&G in Dillingham (907-842-5227) or King Salmon (907) 246-3341 BEFORE operating as a fish transporter in Bristol Bay to get the latest updates on these restrictions and register their activity.
A fish transporter may not be used to transport wild herring spawn on kelp in the Norton Sound District. Current regulations, 5 AAC 27.934 (a) (3), define the harvesting of wild herring spawn on kelp to include transporting to a licensed buyer or tender. Therefore, only the CFEC permit holder harvesting the spawn on kelp may transport the product to a buyer or tender.
Fish Ticket Reporting Requirements
As a fish transporter, you are responsible for writing fish tickets for all fish taken onboard your vessel, or into your possession. Fish transporters are required to familiarize themselves with the fish ticket and other harvest reporting requirements for the area in which they will be transporting fish and to comply with those requirements. Individual management areas may have differing reporting requirements.
Use the correct fish ticket form for the particular area and species of fish transported. Blank fish ticket forms will be provided free of charge by ADF&G. For additional fish ticket forms, or if you have questions about which ticket to use, call (907) 465-6131. Fish transporters will not be issued metal code plates.
Write a separate fish ticket for each fisherman's fish (if you are transporting fish for more than one person) each time you accept those fish for transport. At that time, the commercial fisherman must provide to you all of the information required to complete the fish ticket (including but not limited to statistical area of harvest, catch dates, vessel ADF&G number, CFEC permit information, accurate number and/or weight of fish by species, etc.). Do not accept fish from a fisherman who does not have a valid commercial fishing permit card issued by CFEC. The number of fish by species and the weights of fish by species may be estimated and recorded on the fish ticket if instructed to do so by a representative of the department. For example, when transporting herring, record the estimated pounds or tons. Final weights and fish counts must be verified upon delivery of the fish to a fish buyer or processor. When the required information has been filled out on the fish ticket, the fisherman must sign the ticket. If required for the species and area, attach the fisherman's logbook to the fish ticket. Check with the local ADF&G office for specific requirements.
Imprint the fisherman's plastic CFEC permit card on the fish ticket in the space provided. Imprinting machines are optional, but can be purchased from Secure ID (907-770-9161) or Legend Data Systems (425-251-1670) for about $160. If an imprinting machine is not used, the transporter is responsible for making sure the imprinted information is clear and legible. Fish transporters may not have incomplete fish tickets that have been imprinted with a CFEC permit number or signed by a fisherman before fish are delivered to the transporting vessel.
Write your Fish Transporter Permit code number, your vessel ADF&G number, if applicable, and sign your name in a blank area near the top of the fish ticket. Do not write your fish transporter vessel ADF&G number in the box labeled "ADF&G NO." This box is reserved for the fisherman's vessel number. Do not write your Fish Transporter Permit code number in the space labeled "Proc. Code" or "Company." These spaces are reserved for the fish buyer.
Keep all copies of the fish ticket onboard the fish transporter until the fish are sold. Present the fish ticket to the buyer at the time of sale.
Fish tickets must be submitted to a local representative of the department within 7 days after delivery, or partial delivery, or as otherwise specified by the department for each particular area and fishery. Check with the local ADF&G area office for specific requirements.
In addition to state fish ticket requirements, fish transporters must comply with any federal reporting requirements for IFQ and federally managed groundfish fisheries.
Transporting for Catcher-Sellers
If a fish transporter is transporting and selling fish for a catcher-seller, the catcher-seller's metal code plate must be captured on the fish ticket and the catcher-seller must sign the fish ticket at the time the transporter accepts fish from the catcher-seller. Fish transported for a catcher-seller can be sold by the fish transporter to the general public for use for noncommercial purposes; for use as bait for commercial or noncommercial purposes; or to restaurants, grocery stores, and established fish markets. If a permit holder intends for a crewmember to sell fish on their behalf, that crewmember must have a transporter permit.
Incidental Catch or Partial Delivery
If only a portion of the fisherman's catch is given to the transporter, the fish transporter must fill out the "Ticket #" and "Processor Name" lines on the "PARTIAL DELIVERY" portion of the fish ticket. The fisherman must also complete the "PARTIAL DELIVERY" information on the fish ticket for any catch he or she retains.
Transport of incidentally caught halibut and sablefish is regulated by NOAA Fisheries and must comply with IFQ regulations. Landing of IFQ halibut or sablefish must be reported electronically at the site of transfer. If you are considering transporting IFQ species, contact your local NOAA Fisheries office or 800-304-4846 before accepting any fish.
Transport of any federally managed groundfish species, whether in the EEZ or state waters, also requires federal permits and additional federal reporting. For details and necessary permits contact your local NOAA Fisheries office or 800-304-4846.
Wanton Waste of Fish
The fisherman retains ownership of the fish while the fish is being transported to a buyer. If fish is wasted or dumped overboard, the person who does the wasting or dumping is liable for the penalty associated with wanton waste of fish, regardless of who owns the fish.
Contracts between Fishermen and Transporters
Business arrangements between fishermen and transporters should be established in a contract. ADF&G will not be liable for any disagreements, loss of fish, degradation of fish quality or value in transport, or breach of contract between the fishermen and fish transporters.
Other Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed in these instructions, fish transporters must adhere to all other Alaska statutes and regulations regarding commercial fishing, vessel operation, licensing and permitting, transport of fish across management area boundaries, and record keeping and reporting. Fish transporters will be liable for any undersized or illegal fish on board their vessel.