Do I Need to Register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry?
If you have a current, valid saltwater recreational fishing license or registration from a U.S. state or territory other than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you do not need to take further action. If these conditions don’t apply to you, this questionnaire will help you determine whether you need to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
- Yes, I am a U.S. resident.
- 15 or Younger
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- 16 or Older
- Yes, I own or operate a for-hire vessel.
- Yes, I possess a valid for-hire permit from NOAA Fisheries.
- No action needed. If you possess a valid for-hire permit from NOAA Fisheries, you are not required to register your vessel with NSAR.
- No, I do not possess a valid for-hire permit from NOAA Fisheries.
- Yes, I possess a valid for-hire permit from a U.S. state or territory other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- No action needed. If you possess a valid for-hire permit from a U.S. state or territory other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, you are not required to register your vessel with NSAR.
- No, I do not possess a valid for-hire permit from a U.S. state or territory other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Yes, I will be fishing in federal waters.
- Register with NSAR. According to your answers, you are required to register your for-hire vessel before you fish.
- No, I will no be fishing in federal waters.
- Yes, I will be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- Register with NSAR. According to your answers, you are required to register your for-hire vessel before you fish.
- No, I will not be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- No action needed. If there is no chance you will be fishing in federal waters or catching anadromous fish in state waters, you are not required to register your vessel with NSAR.
- Yes, I will be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- Yes, I will be fishing in federal waters.
- Yes, I possess a valid for-hire permit from a U.S. state or territory other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Yes, I possess a valid for-hire permit from NOAA Fisheries.
- No, I do not own or operate a for-hire vessel.
- Yes, I possess a current, valid saltwater fishing license from a U.S. state or territory other than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- No, I do not possess a current, valid saltwater fishing license from a U.S. state or territory other than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Yes, I live in a U.S. state or territory other than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands whose law does not require me to hold a saltwater fishing license.
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- No, I do not live in a U.S. state or territory other than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands whose law does not require me to hold a saltwater fishing license.
- Yes, I will be fishing exclusively on a licensed for-hire vessel.
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- No, I will not be fishing exclusively on a licensed for-hire vessel.
- Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- Main Hawaiian Islands Non-commercial Bottomfish Permit
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- Commercial Fishing License or Permit Issued by NOAA Fisheries or a U.S. State/Territory
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- Subsistence Fishing License or Permit Issued by NOAA Fisheries or a U.S. State/Territory
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- None of the above
- Yes, I will be fishing in federal waters.
- Register with NSAR. According to your answers, you are required to register with NSAR before you fish.
- No, I will not be fishing in federal waters.
- Yes, I will be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- Register with NSAR. According to your answers, you are required to register with NSAR before you fish.
- No, I will not be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- Yes, I will be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- Yes, I will be fishing in federal waters.
- Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Angling Permit
- I’m not sure whether I will be fishing exclusively on a licensed for-hire vessel.
- If you’re not sure whether you will be fishing on a for-hire vessel that is licensed by NOAA Fisheries or a U.S. state or territory other than Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands, please check with the vessel operator. If it is not licensed, we recommend you continue with this questionnaire.
- Continue
- Yes, I will be fishing in federal waters.
- Register with NSAR. According to your answers, you are required to register with NSAR before you fish.
- No, I will not be fishing in federal waters.
- Yes, I will be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- Register with NSAR. According to your answers, you are required to register with NSAR before you fish.
- No, I will not be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.
- Yes, I will be fishing for anadromous species in state waters.
- Yes, I will be fishing in federal waters.
- Exit
- We do not have enough information to determine whether you should register with NSAR. For help, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or contact Dave Bard at (301) 427-8197 or david.bard@noaa.gov.
- Yes, I will be fishing exclusively on a licensed for-hire vessel.
- Yes, I live in a U.S. state or territory other than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands whose law does not require me to hold a saltwater fishing license.
- Yes, I possess a current, valid saltwater fishing license from a U.S. state or territory other than Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands.
- Yes, I own or operate a for-hire vessel.
- 15 or Younger
- No, I am not a U.S. resident.
- No action needed. According to your answers, you are not required to register with NSAR.