To fish commercially for lobsters in federal waters, a vessel must possess a federal lobster limited access permit and the permit must be on board at all times. The operator of the vessel must also have a valid federal operator's permit.
Permit Categories
Category 1: Commercial
Vessel that fishes for, catches, possesses, transports, lands, sells, or trades bluefish.
In 2017, we issued 2,266 Category 1 permits.
Category 2: Recreational
Vessel that carries passengers for hire
More information on the Atlantic Charter/Headboat for Coastal Migratory Pelagics For-Hire Fishing Permit (Open Access) from the Southeast Region Permit Office.
Permit Categories
Permit Category
Description
Permits Issued in 2017
Number of Permits in Confirmation of Permit History*
Category A
Open Access
1,298
Not Applicable
Category B
Limited Access
4
0
Category C
Vessels fishing for herring that are less than 165 feet in length overall, less than 750 gross registered tons, or have a shaft horsepower of less than 3,000 may receive one of the herring permits listed below. Herring vessels exceeding the size
Permit Categories
Permit Category
Type
Description
Permits Issued in 2014
Number of Permits in Confirmation of Permit History*
Category 1
Limited Access
Longfin Squid/Butterfish Moratorium
298
88
Category 2
Ope
Permit Categories
Permit Category
Description
Permits issued in 2016
LA 2
Full-Time
248
LA 3
Part-Time
2
LA 4
Occasional
0
LA 5
Full-Time Small Dredge
51
LA 6
Part-Time