The Two Categories of Commercial Fishing Permit in Oregon

Commercial Fishing Permit in Oregon

If you have the plan of harvesting fish or shellfish and selling them on commercial basis in Oregon, then the very first thing you will be required to do is to get a commercial fishing permit. It might feel a bit confusing while you are at the first step of the whole process, but the nice thing is that you can do it effectively if you have the right assistance. This will mean that your operation will adhere to all the state rules and regulations.

How to Get Your Commercial Fishing Permit in Oregon

When it comes to the matter of filing an application for a commercial fishing permit in Oregon, the first thing that you should know is that there are several types of permits. Each of them is related to a specific activity and is designed to be used in such. And the selected classification will not only confirm the application but also help your business run of the right way without any problems.

Our mission is to ensure that the experience is quite simple and direct. In the following, we are going to explain you the various permit categories that may apply to your situation and which one is the most suitable for you in order to make a proper start.

What Are the Commercial Fishing Licenses in Oregon?

In the area of Oregon, it is essential that a person who operates commercial fishing vessels or fishing gears or does the operation in assistance with another person must have a valid commercial fishing license or crew member fishing license. The rule applies to every crew member that is on board a fishing boat engaged in commercial fishing. In such a way, every individual that is involved in the harvest will be properly licensed. We are ready to walk you through the tricky stages of the process and ensure that you have the necessary paperwork with you at the Federal Commercial Fishing Permits Center without the usual hassles.

Furthermore, sellers need to accept the products of commercial fishermen/harvesters only if they are licensed fish dealers, bait dealers, fish canners, or buyers according to the law of Oregon. Limited Fish Seller’s Permits and the Columbia River Gillnet Harvester are the only two exceptions to this, whereby the former is the case, the latter is when fish are delivered directly to a licensed Washington fish dealer by boat.

We are always ready to provide you with all the necessary information and help find the target permits for your business if you are confused as to which category is right for you.

Are There any Commercial Shellfish Licenses in Oregon?

It is worthwhile to remember that a typical commercial fishing license in Oregon does not include shellfish gathering as one of the activities. The commercial shellfish industry is so specialized that shellfish harvesters and growers in this sector have to get extra licenses to do so.

In case you sell clams, oysters, mussels, or whole scallops for human consumption, you are required to have the license issued by the Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA). Besides, a commercial fishing license from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) is also obligatory for wild shellfish fishing. People can get ODFW shellfish harvest permits simply by visiting ODFW offices.

Harvesters and growers of commercial shellfish must also adhere to the designated shellfish areas identified by ODA. These areas now are the parts of the Clatsop Beaches, Tillamook Bay, Netarts Bay, Yaquina Bay, Umpqua River and Triangle, Coos Bay, and South Slough. However, since the classifications are subject to change, it is essential to check with ODA for the most up-to-date management plans before your harvest.

Not only do you remain lawful and help safeguard the shellfish resource of Oregon, which will be there for the next generations, by ensuring you have the right licenses and work in designated areas.

How to Apply for Fishing Permits in Oregon

There are many different types of permits, licenses, and stamps that are available to both residents and non-residents, and the application process for Oregon fishing can quickly get complicated. The good news is that you are not alone in this and you can easily get through the process with a little assistance.

The role of the Federal Commercial Fishing Permits Center team is to do all the tedious paperwork for you and let you focus on the running of your business. We take you through the entire process step by step, provide all the required documents you have correctly filled and submit them to the right authorities without any waiting, and so on.

We are here to assist you, so if you want more information about the procedure or if you need support with a particular application, please don’t hesitate to make contact with us through phone or email. Our priority is to simplify and speed up the process for you which will ultimately allow you to go back to fishing, the activity that matters most.