A dealer permit is required for the first purchaser of catch from a Federally permitted fishing vessel. It allows a company to buy catch that are regulated by a Fishery Management Plan. The permit identifies the Fishery Management Plan (FMP) that regulates the catch that may be purchased and, sometimes, a category, which indicates what the dealer intends to do with the catch, e.g., process it. Multiple species may be listed on a single dealer permit.
A dealer needs only one permit, irrespective of the number of locations where it actually purchases the catch. The only exception to this rule is that every dealer vessel requires its own permit; thus, if a dealer owns multiple vessels, it needs multiple permits.
In order to obtain a permit, the dealer must fill out and submit an application form. Permits must be renewed every year, by submitting a renewal application. Requests for renewal will be denied if the dealer is not in compliance with the applicable electronic reporting requirements.