Is There Commercial Fishing in NY? What Permits Do You Need?

New York is a major hub of global commerce. From Wall Street to Madison Avenue, millions of dollars change hands every day in the Empire State. While you may not immediately associate New York with commercial fishing, in truth, the maritime industry is a central and vital component of the city and state’s economic history. If you are considering getting into this particular line of work, you are going to want to make sure that you have the appropriate NY commercial fishing permits.

Commercial fishing is a multi-billion dollar, global industry. It is also a key aspect of the American economy. For this reason, as well as many safety concerns, it is a strictly regulated area of commerce. Before you opt to load up your boat and begin trawling the Hudson River, be certain that you have correct federal and state fishing permits.

Knowing the Different Types of Commercial Fishing Operations in New York

The waters off the coast of New York are home to a number of desired species. Many commercial fishermen trawl this area for Bluefish, Black Sea Bass, Scup, Summer Flounder, and Horseshoe Crab. While these native species are available to catch, they also come with quotas handed down from the New York Division of Marine Resources. If you are going to be fishing in this part of the country, you will want to work with the Division of Marine Resources to obtain the required permits.

Many commercial fishing operations also work on federal waters near New York. This area is anywhere from three to 200 nautical miles from land. As these are federal waters, they require federal permits. This jurisdiction is managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Compartmentalized by the Atlantic region, you can obtain species-specific permits from the NOAA in order to access these bountiful fisheries. 

New York state also offers different levels of licensing for different matters. If you are a non-resident, you can expect to pay more. Additionally, there are special stamps for certain species that will be required on top of a basic license, some of which have reporting obligations. You will also want to acquaint yourself with specific harvesting quotas issued by the state so that you are operating in compliance with the law.

Get Your NY Commercial Fishing Permits Online Today

While the opportunities for commercial fishing in New York are plentiful, so too are the permit requirements. Depending on the goals and aims of your business, you could end up needing several different licenses. By going the traditional route, this could mean completing a tall order or paperwork. Or, you could work with us at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center.

We offer easy-to-fill online applications for all of your New York fishing permit needs. Using our simple web forms, you can apply for all the licenses you need in just minutes. To learn more about how we can help you, contact one of our friendly customer service agents today.