Commercial fishermen, shellfish harvesters, party and charter boat businesses, and seafood dealers in New York are required to hold specific licenses or permits to conduct fishing activities. Commercial fishing licenses and permits are issued by the Division of Marine Resources Marine Permit Office (MPO) located at 123 Kings Park Blvd., Kings Park, NY 11754. For assistance, contact the Marine Permit Office at 631-444-0470 or email [email protected].
Review New York State domicile and business requirements below for more information. Some permits are no longer available to new applicants and can only be renewed by current permit holders, or require specific qualifications to apply. If an online permit application is not available, contact [email protected] or call 631-444-0470 for further details.
For the Recreational Marine Fishing Registry, visit DECALS to register online or call 1-866-933-2257.
Shellfishing Permits
Responsibility of Shellfish Harvesters & Dealers
- Complete the commercial Shellfish Harvester Certification Training,
- Be familiar with harvest limits and gear restrictions and areas open to shellfish harvesting,
- Be aware of any temporary shellfishing closures in effect,
- Ensure that shellfish are safe for consumption by using proper storage and handling practices.
| License/Permit | Fee | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Shellfish Digger Resident Permit | $50 | Shellfish Harvester Education Training, proof of domicile in New York, Shellfish Supplementary Form |
| Shellfish Digger Non-Resident Permit | $150 | Shellfish Harvester Education Training, Shellfish Supplementary Form |
| Shellfish Digger Endorsement (vessel 40 ft or less) | $50 | Only issued to holders of a shellfish diggers permit. Vessel registration or USCG documentation. Only issued to holders of a shellfish diggers permit. |
| Shellfish Digger Endorsement (vessel greater than 40 ft) | $100 | Only issued to holders of a shellfish diggers permit. Vessel registration or USCG documentation. |
| Blue Mussel | None | Only issued to holders of a shellfish diggers permit. |
| Surfclam/Ocean Quahog | None | Only issued to holders of a shellfish diggers permit. |
| Shellfish Shipper - Class A | $300 | HACCP training, HACCP plan, facility inspection and additional approvals from Shellfish Inspection Unit |
| Shellfish Processor - Class B | $600 | HACCP training, HACCP plan, facility inspection and additional approvals from Shellfish Inspection Unit |
| Shellfish Reshipper - Class C | $200 | HACCP training, HACCP plan, facility inspection and additional approvals from Shellfish Inspection Unit |
| Shellfish Digger/Shipper - Class D | $75 | HACCP training, HACCP plan, facility inspection and additional approvals from Shellfish Inspection Unit |
| Bay Scallop Shucker-Packer - Class E | $50 | HACCP training, HACCP plan, facility inspection and additional approvals from Shellfish Inspection Unit |
Aquaculture Permits
| License/Permit | Fee | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| On/Off Bottom Culture Permits | $100 | Review instructions and complete On/Off Bottom Culture Application (PDF) for details. |
| Marine Hatchery Permit | $100 | Contact the Shellfish Management Unit for additional information, [email protected] or 631-444-0489. |
Finfish Permits
Check the Commercial Harvest Limits webpage for the current fishery statuses and trip limits.
| License/Permit | Fee | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Food Fishing Resident License (Limited Entry) | $250 | For information on eligibility criteria, please visit the Limited Entry Interest Site or call 631-444-0455. Reporting Required. |
| Food Fishing Non-Resident License (Limited Entry) | $1,250 | For information on eligibility criteria, please visit the Limited Entry Interest Site or call 631-444-0455. Reporting Required. |
| Commercial Summer Flounder (Fluke) Permit | Only issued to holders of a food fish license. No new permits available. Reporting required. | |
| Commercial Striped Bass Permit | Only issued to holders of a food fish license. No new permits available. Reporting required. | |
| Food Fish Landing License | $500 | Reporting Required. |
| Marine Bait Permit | $50 | Reporting Required. |
| Food Fish and Crustacea Dealers and Shippers | $250 | Submit an annual Dealer Status Form to determine reporting requirements. |
| Hudson River Marine Permit | Varies | Allows the use a gill net and/or scap net. Reporting Required. |
| Delaware River Eel Permit | Varies | Allows the use an eel weir. No new permits available. Reporting Required. |
Crustacea and Whelk Permits
Check the Commercial Limits for Lobsters, Crabs & Whelk webpage for the current fishery statuses and trip limits.
| License/Permit | Fee | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Lobster Resident (Moratorium) | $150 | No new permits available. Reporting required. |
| Commercial Lobster Non-Resident (Moratorium) | $225 | No new permits available. Reporting required. |
| Lobster Landing Permit | $300 | Reporting required. |
| Lobster Resident Non-Commercial | $10 | Proof of domicile in New York. |
| Lobster Bait Gill Net | None | Only issued to holders of a lobster commercial permit. Reporting required. |
| Crab Resident (Limited Entry) | $30 | For information on eligibility criteria, please visit the Limited Entry Interest Site or call 631-444-0455. Reporting Required. |
| Crab Non-Resident (Limited Entry) | $50 | For information on eligibility criteria, please visit the Limited Entry Interest Site or call 631-444-0455. Reporting Required. |
| Horseshoe Crab Permit | None | Only issued to holders of a crab permit. Reporting required. |
| Whelk Resident (Limited Entry) | $30 | For information on eligibility criteria, please visit the Limited Entry Interest Site or call 631-444-0455. Reporting Required. |
| Whelk Non-Resident (Limited Entry) | $50 | For information on eligibility criteria, please visit the Limited Entry Interest Site or call 631-444-0455. Reporting Required. |
Party and Charter Boat Permit
| License/Permit | Fee | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Marine District Party and Charter Boat License* (Numerical Cap) | $250 | Copy of Captain License and Vessel Registration or USCG Documentation needed for each year. USCG Certificate of Inspection may also be required.** Reporting required. |
*Numerical cap applies only to "6-pack" and less capacity party or charter boat licenses (OUPV).
**Party and Charter Boat License applicants who are licensed to carry more than six passengers and operate a vessel classified by the USCG as an Inspected Passenger Vessel must submit a copy of a valid USCG Certificate on Inspection for the vessel.
License to Collect or Possess
| License/Permit | Fee | Additional Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Licenses to Collect or Possess: Marine Resources | None | See detailed application requirements. |
| Licenses to Collect or Possess: Shellfish Gardening | None | Detailed description and maps indicating site location. Proof of ownership/lease agreement. |
Domicile and Business Requirements
Proof of Identity and Domicile
Applicants for New York State Resident permits must be domiciled within the State of New York and maintain a fixed, permanent and principal place of abode (home) or establishment within the State immediately prior to the time of filing a resident permit application and continue to maintain such a place of abode or establishment for the duration of the permit or license. In order to demonstrate sufficient documentation of identity and domicile in New York State, applicants must provide one or more of the following as proof of identity or domicile (photocopies are acceptable):
- Valid New York State DMV driver's license or New York State non-driver photo ID card
- NYS Income Tax Form IT-201 or W-2 form of previous year
- Current Voter Registration Card • Valid New York State Vehicle Registration
- Valid New York State vehicle learner's permit
- Notarized statement by parent or guardian with custody of an applicant under 16 attesting to the applicant's
- New York State domicile; parent or guardian must provide appropriate proof of domicile.
- Permanent Resident Card (Form I-551)*
- Armed Services Identification Card*
- Student ID (Current)*
*Proof of identity only.
Proof of New York State domicile must show signature and current address. The preferred proof of identity and legal address is a valid New York State driver's license or a non-driver photo ID card issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. For applicants using a Post Office Box to receive mail, you must include a legal address (street address) with your application or it will be returned. If under 18 (minors), the domicile of their parent(s) or legal guardian(s) shall be considered their domicile. DEC reserves the right to require additional proofs of domicile. Applications received without appropriate proofs of identity or domicile will be returned. DEC will NOT be responsible for the return of your document(s).
Business Requirements
If purchasing a license or permit in the name of a business (domestic corporation, domestic limited liability company, foreign business corporation, foreign LLC) or under an assumed name (DBA), you must submit a copy of the legal documents establishing the corporation, LLC or DBA to DEC with the completed application form. Valid copies of the above referenced documents (Certificate of Incorporation, Articles of Organization (LLC), Filing Receipt for Application of Authority for Foreign Businesses Operating in New York, or Certificate of Assumed Name (DBA)). These documents must be provided to NYSDEC MPO when filing a new application or each year with your renewal.
Please refer to New York State Department of State's (NYSDOS) for more information on obtaining copies of these documents.
Businesses that apply for marine permits must provide proof of their Good Standing on an annual basis. Failure to provide this documentation will result in the denial of the permit application. Status of good standing can be found on the NYSDOS's Corporation and Business Entity Database.
Out-of-state businesses can find their status of good standing from the links below: