Process Your California Commercial Fishing Permits Online

If you are a commercial fisherman, there are not many better places to be than California. Provided you have the correct California commercial fishing permits, you can access the numerous fisheries that decorate the Golden State’s expansive coastline. Home to a number of valuable and sought-after species, the Pacific is a premier commercial fishing destination for good reason. Before you can start casting your lines, dropping your nets, and earning a lucrative livelihood, however, you are going to want to have all of the necessary permits from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), as well as the state of California.

Before determining which specific permits you will need, you are going to want to figure out exactly where you will be working. Specifically, you are going to want to recognize the differences between state and federal waters. In California, state waters comprise the area from zero to three nautical miles from shore. Federal waters are generally the area between three and 200 nautical miles out. As these are different jurisdictions, they require different permits, and chances are you will be fishing in both areas.

The Different Types of California Commercial Fishing Permits

There are different requirements for commercial fishing permits in California depending on whether or not you are a resident or non-resident. The main difference is that non-residents can expect to pay an additional fee, though they can still largely access the same fisheries. At the state level, you will need to obtain a commercial fishing license before you can seek out species-specific permits. You will also need to acquire a commercial registration for your boat in order to legally operate on California waters.

If you are accessing federal waters off the coast, your permits will be issued by NOAA. These permits cover the entire West Coast region and there are a number of different license options available. From Groundfish to Tuna, there are permits that apply to several different species as well as modes of fishing. 

While you do have the option to acquire your permits from both the state of California and the NOAA directly, it can become a time-consuming process–especially if you need multiple permits. You may find yourself needing to complete a number of paper applications and mailing them to several different office locations. Fortunately, you can save time and energy by working with us at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center.

Get Your Permits Online Today

At the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we are a private service that specializes in helping fishermen get the licenses and permits they need online. We offer easy-to-complete web forms for permits in all major U.S. regions. Additionally, we utilize an SSL-encrypted web portal, ensuring the safe transmission of your personal data.

Why waste time printing out PDF applications and making arduous trips down to the post office? By working with us, you can apply for all of the permits your business needs on one convenient website. If you would like to learn more, contact us today.