Limited Access Privilege (LAP) Programs are limited access systems whereby federal permits are issued to harvest a quantity of fish representing a portion of the TAC. The term, limited access privilege program, has recently been used in place of the terms, Individual Fishing Quota and Individual Transferable Quota, since this new term encompasses both individuals and communities who may be eligible to receive an allocation of a portion of the TAC or commercial quota.
The recently amended Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act), the primary legislation outlining national fishery policy, contains language supporting creation of Limited Access Privilege Programs for fisheries and provides specific requirements for implementation of such programs. Please click here to view the re-authorized Magnuson-Stevens Act. See pages 79 -88 for language applicable to Limited Access Privilege Programs.
The reauthorized Magnuson - Stevens Act specifies three types of LAPs; individual fishing quotas (IFQs), community quotas, and quota held by regional fishery associations (RFAs). Although the MSRA only mentions these three types of LAPs, LAPs can be given to a broad range of entities as long as they meet the eligibility requirements. These entities could include partnerships, corporations, co-operatives, and fishermen's organizations.
