Why Do You Need a Commercial Fishing Permit?

When it comes to selecting a career, there are not many that feel quite as liberating as commercial fishing. In turning your passion for angling into your livelihood, you can trade the four walls of your dreary office for the open sea. Of course, fishing for a living can also be incredibly demanding and, at times, dangerous work. It is with this in mind that it is important to take as many safety precautions as possible, one of which is having the right fishing permit for your catch and/or geography.

While you may have gone into commercial fishing in part because paperwork is not your thing, there are still some practical formalities you will need to address in order to legally operate your business. By having a working knowledge of what commercial fishing permits do, as well as which specific ones you will need, you can save yourself a considerable amount of time and energy.

Commercial Fishing Permits: Protecting Our Fisheries

In order to make money by catching and selling fish, you need to drop your lines or nets in fisheries that feature ample stock. Chances are, if you have found yourself in this line of work, you are something of an outdoors enthusiast. With that said, you understand the importance of conserving our environment, not only for yourself, but also for future generations of commercial fishermen.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and Departments of Natural Resources at the state level are tasked with preserving the fisheries of the United States. While this responsibility calls for a multifaceted approach, a key tenet to their conservation efforts is to issue and manage fishing permits.

This can work in a number of ways. In some instances, the fees collected for a license or permit are used to pay NOAA employees and build or repair existing infrastructure. Other times, quotas or harvest rules will aim to limit what is extracted from a specific fishery, allowing for a more competitive marketplace. A license may also only apply for a certain season, which can allow for the fish breeding cycle to complete unabated. It is important to remember that permits are not merely bureaucratic red tape. These documents also allow state and federal agencies to maintain a registry of who is fishing on our waters while also protecting fisheries from overfishing and other potential harms.

Need a Fishing Permit? We Have What You Need!

Now that you know a bit about the background and purpose of fishing licenses, it is time to figure which ones you will need specifically. On a federal level, permits are issued by region. For example, if you are fishing for Cod in the Mid-Atlantic or New England region, there is a permit tailored for just that. So too if you are looking to trap shellfish in the Southeast.

Once you have figured out which permits you need, why not work with us? At the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we have easy-to-complete online applications for all of the permits you require on one website. To learn more, contact one of our experienced customer service agents today.