Options for South Carolina Commercial Fishing Licenses

If you plan on catching more than 25 pounds of fish in a day in South Carolina, you’ll need to apply for a commercial fishing license. The most common South Carolina Commercial Fishing Licenses are for either commercial fishing or for taking saltwater fish. This post will provide an overview of the various licenses and what you may accomplish with them. We’ll also highlight how certain fishing boats and fishermen are exempt from this rule. 

Read on for details applicable to newcomers and seasoned pros seeking to maintain their credentials. Like any other company, South Carolina requires commercial fishing vessels to get operating licenses. Fortunately, there is a wide range of licenses to choose from, so you may easily choose one that works for you. Find out what commercial fishing permits are available in South Carolina here.

Commercial Fishing License

You may apply for a commercial fishing license if you live in South Carolina. People often associate fishing with leisure time at the beach, in a lake, or by a river, with poles and lines in hand. However, there’s also commercial fishing, when participants capture fish to sell them for a profit. Several significant corporations cater to commercial fishermen by leasing out boats to them. This paves them to fish profitably in state waterways and on federal seas. 

When fishing near shorelines, they must adhere to all safety regulations and gear restrictions imposed by the federal government. The SCDNR requires permits pertaining only to commercial fishing. For example: if you want to buy a boat and start a new career as a fisherman, you’ll need an SCDNR Commercial Fishing License. That way, you can take advantage of the optimal times and locations for fishing for various species.

Fish Dealer’s License

There’s a common misconception that if you want a commercial fishing license, you’ll have to work on a trawler, haul up nets, and fish for crabs. This is one commercial fishing method in South Carolina, but there are others. You may, for instance, acquire your fishing vessel and engage in individual angling. Obtaining a Fish Dealer’s License in South Carolina is mandatory for all commercial fishermen. 

You need to be a state resident for at least six months before applying for this license, and you also need to take a course authorized for seafood dealers. Under the terms of this license, a commercial fisherman may only sell their catch, not the catch of others. You may use this to purchase, sell, and trade fish you or others have caught or obtained. The only stipulation is that you must be a South Carolina resident and possess a valid South Carolina driver’s license.

Non-Commercial Fishing Vessel Permit As One Of The South Carolina Commercial Fishing Licenses

Most individuals don’t need a fishing license; even if they do, the expense is negligible compared to the potential profits from selling their catch. However, this process may become more challenging for enterprises since the legislation mandates that most establishments with 50 or more workers obtain licenses for every worker who fishes or harvests wildlife goods. This implies that permission is required even if just one employee of your organization will leave the office to perform their work tasks. 

How do you go about acquiring one, though? It all comes down to the specifics of the task, and many viable solutions exist. A license for selling saltwater products or a permit for operating a non-commercial fishing vessel is available. The product license is only issued if you intend to sell the fish you catch, while the other South Carolina Commercial Fishing Licenses enable you to retain the fish when you catch them, regardless of your intentions.

Headboat or Charter Boat License

For several reasons, obtaining a charter or head boat license is a good choice. The most attractive feature is the freedom to cast a line from the land, sea, or banks of a river or lake. With your license, you can cruise the open water in whatever vessel you like. Many diverse fisheries may be found in South Carolina; however, a commercial fishing license that covers cobia and the red drum is required. Get a charter/headboat license if you plan on taking visitors out on the water for big game fishing and sightseeing outings. Another excellent use for a charter/headboat license is to start your own company without investing in a boat of your own. Obtaining a headboard license is often more straightforward and affordable than a charter license due to the lower fees and less paperwork involved. One drawback is that they have seasonal restrictions; outside of the times when headboards are allowed to fish, charter South Carolina Commercial Fishing Licenses are necessary for any commercial fishing.

As a commercial fisherman in South Carolina, you’ll need a fishing permit and other fishing licenses to comply with state regulations. If you’re unsure which license is suitable, contact the Commercial Fishing Permits Center at (866) 292-4204 for more information about the options available.