Everything You Need to Know About Federal Fishing Licenses

Turning Your Passion for Fishing into a Career

Are you a fishing enthusiast who dreams of doing it for a whole day every day? It can really be quite an interesting opportunity to start a commercial fishing business – you will have the sea and sun all to yourself, be the master of your own destiny and leave behind the old 9-to-5 rut. That being said, commercial fishing is still full of the opposite of what made it attractive to you – it can be hard work, dangerous, and you will need to go through a complex preparation process before you can call it your own.

Step one of many is definitely getting the proper federal fishing licenses for your activity.

If you are a fishing man and have been in the world of recreational fishing, then you probably know what fishing licenses are and maybe even you could talk about stamps or endorsements in your state. But it is; however, a different ball game when it comes to federal permits, as they have separate rules and authorizations. It will be best that you have the right federal documents sorted out before you embark on your journey so that you are legal and you can operate without stress.

What Are Federal Fishing Licenses, and Who Needs Them?

Before you go ahead to apply for a federal commercial fishing permit, it is of great importance that you first establish if the permit is actually required. The initial question to be answered is: Are you going to fish in federal waters?

In most cases, the areas are from zero to three nautical miles off the coast that are under the management of the states. Once you are gone beyond that, that is three to 200 nautical miles out, then you are in federal waters. These zones are under the jurisdiction of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which, in turn, is the authority that issues federal fishing permits.

Even though the process of applying for a federal permit may be perceived as an additional red tape, these permits are of great importance in ensuring the survival of the industry. They provide for the most efficient administration of U.S. fisheries. In this way, fish cohorts population are kept in good and sustainable conditions. By tracking the who, what, and the number of fishes caught, NOAA can thus help in the prevention of overfishing and the perpetuation of resources for the coming generations.

The Different Types of Federal Fishing Permits

It is a rather difficult task to handle U.S. fisheries, considering the diverse and large offshore marine ecosystems of the country. To melt this large cheese, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) breaks down its permits into areas that are more manageable. The major regions are Alaska, the Atlantic, the South, the West Coast, and the Pacific Islands. Each of these areas has its own set of specific permits.

Let’s take the Pacific Islands as an example; in that region, fishermen may be permitted to use a Western Pacific Pelagic Squid Jig, whereas, in New England, the only requirement might be an American Lobster permit. These permits usually focus on specific species, and they operate in defined territories, which makes it possible to monitor and regulate each fishery based on the local conditions.

Fishing is not done in one spot in most cases, operations which are commercial in nature thus are likely to move between state and federal waters. Such a move would depend on the season as well as the area where the fish are most plentiful. So, it would be a good idea for many fishermen to have permits from both the state and the federal authorities as this will make them more adaptable and they will be able to operate lawfully wherever their business is.

Get Your Permits Online Today!

We at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center are truly committed to making the whole process of permitting not only easier but also quicker. With the help of our safe and secure, SSL-encrypted web portal, you can fill out and submit multiple commercial fishing permit applications online, and that means you don’t have to go from one agency to another.

Try out our online forms to get going with your application, or if you want customized assistance, please call the team. We would be glad to offer you a full briefing on the various permits available and how to obtain them at your convenience.