Why January Was Such a Busy Month for Alaska Federal Commercial Fishing

January is an exciting time for everyone as it brings the promise of a new year. For fishermen, this particular month is action-packed for Alaska federal commercial fishing. With a slew of significant dates and a number of fish entering a seasonal prime, January is an exceptionally busy month for the commercial fishing industry. Read on to learn more.

Significant Dates for Alaska Federal Commercial Fishing

A new year means a new calendar. If you are a business owner, you understand that schedules can quickly fill up with important dates and deadlines. If you are in the Alaskan commercial fishing industry, there are a number of dates that you need to know, including:

• January 1: Commercial fishing boats in the Gulf of Alaska and the Bering Sea drop baited lines and pots for whitefish, cod, and rockfish.
• January 15: The Tanner crab fishery opens in Chignik, and the South Peninsula 
• January 20: The Alaska Pollock food fishery, which is the largest in the nation, opens to trawl fishing.

With additional important dates on the horizon for February and March, the early months of 2022 are some of the busiest for Alaskan commercial fishing operations. Bering Sea crabbers are also dropping pots, and sea cucumber harvests are taking place, rounding out a full seafood industry agenda. January is a crowded time in Alaska’s waters, so you will want to know your dates before preparing your lines.

Are Your Permits and Licenses Current?

As you begin drawing up plans and projections for your business in 2022, it is important to ensure that all of your affairs are in order. If you are doing anything that involves the catch and sale of fish, you will want to make sure that all of your state and federal licenses and permits are current and up-to-date.

There are many different permits and registrations for commercial fishermen in Alaska, so knowing what you specifically need is helpful. For example, If you are using federal fisheries, you will want a permit for that. If you are fishing specifically for rockfish, there is a special quota form that you will need to complete.

As a measure to protect the environment, as well as to preserve quality fishing for all, Alaska is rather thorough in its rules and regulations. In order to make sure that you have the documentation you need to fish commercially, it may be beneficial to work with a private service that can help you complete and process your forms in an accurate and timely fashion.

We Can Help You Get The Documentation Your Business Needs

Are you new to commercial fishing and looking for the right applications to get your proper permits? Maybe your business is expanding to fish for a different catch? No matter your commercial fishing documentation needs, the Commercial Fishing Permits Center can help. We offer simplified and streamlined forms that you can complete with ease, and our encrypted portal means that you can trust us with the transmission of your personal information. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help your business.