Can You Get NJ Commercial Fishing Permits Online?

Commercial fishing has a long and storied tradition in New Jersey. In fact, the Garden State is home to some of the oldest and most lucrative fisheries on the eastern seaboard. With its geography firmly adjacent to New York–a global hub of commerce–there are many logical reasons to consider starting a commercial or industrial fishing business in New Jersey. Before you can hire a crew or gear up your vessel, however, you will want to make sure that you are acting in compliance with state laws, and that means obtaining the correct NJ commercial fishing permits.

In nearly any type of entrepreneurial venture, there are permits and licenses that need to be obtained. This is, of course, also true for commercial fishing. As it is a major industry that extracts resources from the environment, it should come as no surprise that industrial fishing is a tightly regulated business. In order to adhere to these rules and regulations, maintaining valid permits, licenses, and endorsements is a must for your business.

Understanding NJ Commercial Fishing Permits

In the state of New Jersey, commercial fishing permits are issued by the Department of Fish and Wildlife. There are different commercial fishing permits available to both residents and non-residents alike (non-residents can expect to pay a higher fee). There are a variety of different open access and limited entry permits available. While the exact permits you will need will depend on where you are fishing, New Jersey gets fairly granular in its permit options.

There are also different permits for freshwater and saltwater commercial fishing. If you are fishing inland, you will want to view what is available from the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Whether you need a commercial marine or a commercial freshwater permit, the Commercial Fishing Permits Center can help. If you view our New Jersey section on the side navigation menu of our website, you will see that we have a host of different online application options for all of your permit needs.

Do You Need Federal Fishing Permits?

New Jersey sits on the Atlantic Ocean, which means you can head off quite far from shore to haul in your catch. The waters between zero and three nautical miles from land fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Anything beyond that is governed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is a federal agency. The NOAA issues commercial fishing permits for businesses that are operating in federal waters.

The NOAA separates out its permit offerings by region. For New Jersey fishermen, the New England/Mid-Atlantic region will be most applicable. If you visit this section of our site, you can see a full list of the different license options that are available.

Apply For Your Permits Online

By working with us at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, you can save yourself valuable time and energy. With just a few clicks, you will be able to apply for any state or federal fishing permits that your business needs. If you would like to learn more, please visit our helpful FAQ page.