Commercial fishing licenses would face caps and entry rules through 2029

The state would cap commercial food fish, crab, and whelk or conch licenses and permits, and restrict lobster permits to previous-year holders. The food fish, crab, and whelk or conch caps cover residents and nonresidents. The periods end December 31, 2029; the lobster restriction starts January 1, 2026. The act would take effect immediately if enacted.

The state would issue available commercial food fish licenses to eligible applicants who lacked one the previous year. Applicants must be individuals age 16 or older who completed an apprenticeship or averaged at least $15,000 a year in fishing income over three consecutive years. Applications go in arrival order, with completed apprenticeships receiving priority among same-day applicants. Applicants using income from carrying fishing passengers must hold a valid state party and charter boat license. Those relying solely on that income may receive no more than 10% of licenses issued based on income. The state may consider active-duty service when judging income eligibility for otherwise eligible veterans with honorable or general discharges, or qualifying-condition or discharged LGBT veterans without bad-conduct or dishonorable discharges. These entry rules cover January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.

The state would issue available commercial crab permits to eligible applicants who lacked one the previous year. Applicants must be individuals age 16 or older who completed an apprenticeship or averaged at least $15,000 a year in fishing income over three consecutive years. Applications go in arrival order, with completed apprenticeships receiving priority among same-day applicants. Applicants using income from carrying fishing passengers must hold a valid state party and charter boat license. They may receive no more than 10% of permits issued based on income. These entry rules cover January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.

People without a previous-year commercial whelk or conch license would be eligible for available licenses if they meet entry requirements. Applicants must be individuals age 16 or older who completed an apprenticeship or averaged at least $15,000 a year in fishing income over three consecutive years. Applications go in arrival order, with completed apprenticeships receiving priority among same-day applicants. Applicants using income from carrying fishing passengers must hold a valid state party and charter boat license. They may receive no more than 10% of all licenses issued to applicants without a previous-year license. These entry rules cover January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2029.

The state would limit covered party and charter fishing boat licenses to 517 each year. These rules cover marine and coastal district fishing boat licenses, except for owners or operators of Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessels licensed to carry more than six passengers. Previous-year license holders would be eligible to renew. Other applicants must hold a U.S. Coast Guard Uninspected Passenger Vessel license and would receive available licenses in application order. The act would take effect immediately if enacted.