Commercial Fishing in California
The California coast with its lovely weather and plenty of water is a fisherman’s delight. It is not only a heaven for anglers but a place of good business for those who work in the commercial industry. It is possible to achieve a great deal of success in your business if you are aware of the rules and regulations governing California commercial and industrial fishing licenses and you actually comply with them.
What Is Considered Commercial Fishing?
In California, both recreational and commercial fishing require licenses. However, the two are very different in terms of the scope of activities. Commercial fishing is any catching activity where the market is the end point of the sales, your vessel being one of the ways through which the sale takes place.
In order to protect consumers as well as to keep the industry fair, California is implementing strict licensing requirements as well as laws and regulations for the commercial fishing operations. No matter what kind of fish you are targeting be it cod, tuna, whitefish, or any other species, if you have a proper license it will guarantee that you are operating in a legally and ethically way.
Non-Resident vs. Resident Commercial Fishing Licenses
In California, it is the classification of a person based on whether he is a resident of the state or not that determines the kind of commercial fishing license one will fall under. The main difference is between resident and non-resident operators. In order to qualify as a resident, you should have been living in California for at least six months before the day of your application.
Licenses issued both to residents and non-residents give fishing rights of the same value, but the difference in costs is considerable. As of now, the price of a resident commercial fishing license is $153.73 while the one for non-residents is $453.50 for the same license.
Still, there are some exceptions to the rule of six-month residence. The first one is the members of the military who are on active duty; the second exception is the individuals who participate in programs like Job Corps and such and might be eligible for the residency regardless of the period of their stay in the state.
Meeting the Right Requirements
Commercial fishing licenses can be hard to navigate and sometimes it is not clear who needs one. Basically, if you catch fish for sale in any way or form, then it is necessary for you to obtain a commercial fishing license.
To be more specific, according to California law, any person who is at least 16 years of age and the operator (or the one who assists the operator) of a vessel that is engaged in the activity of catching fish to be sold is obligated to have a valid license. The rule applies tightly, as well, to a person, who is a major contributor to the fishing operation onboard.
It is, however, a necessity to be sure that every cell in the wheel is appropriately qualified in case your commercial fishing boat has a crew. Compliance with state regulations and the safeguarding of your business from possible legal issues are the benefits that you get.
Registrations, Stamps, and More
Generally, a commercial fishing license is the major step, the first step for a person willing to catch and sell fish in California, but in most cases, there are additional registrations required. Several stamps and permits are issued by the state, which may be applicable to your activity, depending on the method of fishing practiced. They are included in the fishery-specific permits, the passenger fishing vessel registrations, and even the permits granted for commercial aircraft used in fishery activities.
Make Sure Your Application Is Complete
A commercial fishing license application is not always a one-stop form that can be filled out and submitted. The main issue that your license is a key to your business’ success and legality therefore precision, and completeness are the main tools. One of our knowledgeable service representatives is the professional whom you can count on; he/she will guide you in filing and submitting your application properly thus making it easy for you to get your California fishing license without wasting time and experiencing a delay.
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