Plan Your Alaska Commercial Fishing Permit Renewal Strategy

If you are a commercial fisherman, one of the appeals of this particular brand of work is probably the lack of paperwork. After all, being on a boat in the middle of the ocean is very different from being at a desk in a metropolitan office. However, like almost any job, occasionally you’ll need to deal with some paperwork. If you’re the boss, you probably already know this and routinely deal with things like paying bills and employees. However, Alaska commercial fishing permit renewal paperwork is a minefield that must be navigated by captains and crew alike.

Commercial Fishing in Alaska

Commercial fishing’s greatest strength is that it can be done practically anywhere there’s access to water. A more nomadic lifestyle in commercial fishing may appeal to the adventurous type; as the seasons change, you can follow the money to wherever the big fish are biting. No one would blame you for wanting to spend some time fishing in Alaska’s state and federal waters if you found yourself in the Last Frontier state. Make sure you have the appropriate Alaska commercial fishing permits for your intended catch before you leave the dock.

Permits For Commercial Fishing In Alaska

Federal waters make up large swaths of the fishing territories off the United States coast, so fishing in them is common. For this reason, the waters three to two hundred nautical miles off the coast are considered federal waters. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is in charge of issuing federal commercial fishing licenses; these licenses are divided up geographically. Alaska, being such a huge state with a huge amount of coastline, has its own region within NOAA.

In Alaska, NOAA licenses are typically categorized by target species. If you want to catch halibut, salmon, crab, or rockfish, you’ll need a valid fishing license. When you use a private service like the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, you can submit applications for all of the necessary licenses on a single page.

To put it simply, Alaskan fishing isn’t the same as fishing elsewhere in the United States. The weather and the sea can be more dangerous. There are some unusual legal requirements to keep in mind in addition to the normal ones when preparing yourself, your crew, and your vessel for the waters of Alaska. Here you’ll find information on what you need to know about fishing in Alaskan waters and how to get the necessary permits.

Getting Through Your Commercial Permit Renewal

You probably did your homework and obtained the appropriate licenses and permits when you first started out as a commercial fisherman. You figured out which state’s waters you would be using and talked to the local agencies there to find out what permits you would need. When operating in federal waters, you coordinate with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to secure the relevant permits. Yes, there was a lot of paperwork involved, but sadly, that is not the end of it. There is a renewal process to complete for nearly all commercial fishing permits, and an online service such as ours can help.

The Financial Investment Required for a Commercial Fishing License

Licenses to engage in commercial fishing in Alaska are valid for a single year. This fee is in addition to any other fishing fees you may have to pay, which could total anywhere from zero to several hundred dollars.

There is also an investment in protective gear we recommend you wear to keep you safe from the elements and while operating machinery if you don’t want to risk having to pay a hefty fine or getting hurt. For example, work boots are the best thing you can bring on board to protect your most valuable asset: your feet. Waterproofing is essential, as is having nonslippery soles and a thick, chemical-resistant, and naturally, waterproof material.

How Can You Easily Complete Your Renewal?

Each new year should begin with a thorough inventory of all current permits and a calendar of their respective expiration dates. While some people might reach for Microsoft Excel, others might grab a calendar. It’s up to you to figure out the best approach, definitively being well-organized can help. For commercial fishing permits in any NOAA region, you can choose from a variety of simple online applications. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with one of our friendly customer service representatives by phone or electronic mail if you have any questions or concerns.

In the weeks leading up to your renewal deadline, you should gather the necessary paperwork from the state or NOAA, fill it out by hand, and submit it as soon as possible. Or, you can save a lot of time by coming to the Commercial Fishing Permits Center and working with us.