The Benefits of Florida Commercial Fishing Permits

Affectionately known as the Sunshine State, Florida is an appealing vacation and living destination for many. Of course, it is not difficult to understand why, with its sprawling, beautiful beaches and ideal, year-round weather. Situated on both the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean, Florida also has much to offer in the way of fishing. If you are thinking about making commercial or industrial fishing your business, you may want to think about obtaining Florida commercial fishing permits. More than 80 percent of all pink shrimp, spiny lobster, and stone crab are caught in Florida, just to name a few species, and for enterprising commercial fishermen, there is certainly money to be made in the waters that surround the state.

Before you can set out on the Atlantic or the Gulf, however, there will be some preparations to make. First, you are going to want to make sure that your boat is in good working order, and equipped for the rigors of commercial fishing. That means not just bait and tackle, but first aid and other safety supplies as well. Then, you are going to want to check your paperwork, specifically your fishing licenses and permits–read on to learn more.

Which Florida Commercial Fishing Permits Do You Need?

Determining which Florida fishing licenses you will need largely depends on what you will be aiming to catch. If you are fishing off the shores of eastern Florida, you are probably seeking finfish like mackerel, red snapper, grouper, or swordfish. To fish for these species, you will need a commercial saltwater license, which can be obtained from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. You may also need to acquire a Wholesale and Retail Dealers License.

Florida also offers a separate commercial license for fishing in freshwater areas. These are available to both residents and non-residents. As a general rule of thumb, anything inland, or between zero and three nautical miles from shore is going to fall under state jurisdiction, thus warranting state-issued permits and licenses. 

Getting the Right Federal Permits

Depending on the scope of your commercial fishing operation, it is not unrealistic to think you will find yourself in federal waters. The area from three to 200 nautical miles from land is regulated by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which is a federal agency. The NOAA is tasked with issuing licenses for commercial fishing on federal waters, and they break their permits down by region. They offer licenses for Alaska, the West Coast, the Pacific Islands, the Mid-Atlantic/New England, and the South. For Florida fishermen, the South region will be the most applicable. There are federal permits for King Mackerel, shark, crab, and more.

Apply for Your Permits Online Today!

At the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we are a private service that assists individuals in applying for their federal and state fishing licenses online. We feature a wide array of easy-to-fill web applications, allowing you to process your documents in just minutes. If you would like to learn more, contact one of our experienced customer service agents today.