What is a USCG Notice of Claim of Lien for a Commercial Vessel?

Part of being a commercial fisherman is keeping your boat in good working order. Sometimes work is carried out and then not paid for. This can happen for many reasons, including lack of funds, but often results in a USCG claim of lien. Understanding what a lien is and how it works can help you navigate the legal process, which you may want to hire a lawyer to help you with. In the meantime, this guide will give you the information you need to know.

What is a Claim of Lien?
Some experts liken a claim of lien to an IOU. It’s essentially a document that lets a commercial vessel owner know that they owe compensation to an individual or entity for services rendered. This might be for upgrades or repairs to your boat but could be for anything having to do with your vessel. If the boat owner has a mortgage, the notice may also be sent to the mortgage lender. Likewise, a claim of lien can be filed if payments are not made on the mortgage for a commercial fishing vessel. A lien can be a deterrent for someone looking to buy a boat, so taking care of it before putting your boat up for sale is a good idea.

Information That Must Be Included on a Claim of Lien
A claim of lien is a legal document and must contain certain information to file it. Without it, the claim will likely be denied, which can result in longer wait times and extra fees. The claim of lien will need to include the following:

Vessel name and official number
Name and address of claimants
Nature of the lien
Date the lien is established
The total amount claimed on the lien
Signed on behalf of each claimant
Date of execution
Acknowledgment or notarization
A declaration that states that the information is correct and that a copy has been sent to the vessel owner, anyone else involved, and the mortgage holder
A fee of $8 per page must be filed with the claim of lien

How to Submit a Claim of Lien
Following the right steps for submitting a claim of lien is important because it makes the process faster and more efficient. Having to correct mistakes can lengthen your wait time and cost you more in fees. Here are some things to keep in mind:

Submit only one original or copy of the lien. Copies will be returned, originals will not.
Be sure the vessel is documented and on file with the National Vessel Documentation Center.
There must be no alterations to the form.
Fees are non-refundable and can be paid via check or credit card.
Documents can be sent via mail or email, as well as being submitted online. ‘’
Filing a claim of lien online is fairly easy to do and we are here to help. You can complete the process with us, as well as get answers to all of your questions along the way. If you need to file a USCG claim of lien, contact the Commercial Fishing Permits Center today. 

Keep Your Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Up to Date

Having up-to-date Coast Guard Vessel Documentation is an important part of owning and operating a boat. This is for your protection, as well as the protection of everyone else on the water. There are a variety of guidelines about how to keep your boat properly documented, which may occur on the state level, the federal level, or both. That documentation must also be renewed regularly. Being caught without current paperwork can result in fines or the loss of your boat. Here’s what you need to know about the process.

Why Renew Documentation?
As mentioned above, for legal reasons, your boat’s paperwork must be current. Even if you don’t think there’s any reason for the United States Coast Guard to stop you or board your vessel, it’s always a possibility. If you have an emergency on the water and there’s no documentation of your presence, it can be difficult to find and help you. Be sure you know when renewal is necessary and get the process started well ahead of time so you don’t run the risk of operating your boat with expired paperwork.

Understand the Requirements
From time to time, requirements may be changed or updated and you’ll need to know what they are so you can be sure your boat meets all of them before submitting renewal documentation paperwork. Once you know you’re compliant, you can file your renewal online, as well as keep all of your documentation digitally for easy access. However, it’s also a good idea to keep paper copies of all of your documents in a safe and dry location on board your vessel.

When Changes Are Needed
In some cases, you may need to change the information on your documentation. This could be contact information, your hailing port, or even the name of your vessel. When that happens, you will need to update your information for the United States Coast Guard so it’s all current, should it become necessary to produce it on board your boat. As soon as any information regarding your boat changes, it’s important to update your documents, so don’t wait to get the forms submitted.

Updated Insurance Information
It’s vital to have all of your insurance information up to date. That’s because if there is an accident or damage to your boat, you will need to file a claim and your documentation must be current to do so without a lot of hassle. Be sure you understand your policy as well, which allows you to make the proper claim, should the need ever arise. Without up-to-date paperwork, you may have trouble claiming an accident with your insurance company so be sure you stay on top of all boat documentation and update as soon as changes are needed.

If you need help with your boat documentation, you aren’t alone. The Commercial Fishing Permits Center is here to help. We can answer questions, and facilitate the process and we have many online forms on our website that make the process of updating your Coast Guard vessel documentation fast and easy. Contact us today for all of the assistance you need.

Commercial Fishing: What’s in Season Right Now and How We Can Help

Have you been looking for permits and licenses for the commercial fishing opportunities that are going on right now? Does it seem like the process to complete your fishing documents is more challenging than it should be? We created our site to be a resource for fishing professionals. Here, you could find all of the forms that you might need, yes, but you could also find them when you need them as well. Below are some of the forms we offer for species that are in season at this writing.

Lobster
Here at our site, we offer permits for fishing across America. Yes, when most people think of lobster, they think of the Northeast. Maine lobsters tend to be at their best between early summer and the end of the year. California and Florida, on the other hand, peak in August, and that lasts till around March. At our site, you can find the forms to fish commercially for lobsters in federal waters. You need to not only have this federal lobster limited access permit, but you need to have it on board as well.

Alaskan Chinook Salmon
Alaskan Chinook salmon (as with other kinds of Pacific salmon), is having its moment. That tends to run from earlier in the summer and lasts till around December. At our site, you can find the forms to apply for approval as an entire to receive transferable Chinook Salmon PSC allocation as well as the application for the transferring of Bering Sea Chinook Salmon PSC allocations as well. We have many forms for Alaska, both state and federal, for many reasons, not the least of which is that there’s so much fishing opportunity in and around the Pacific Northwest.

Tuna
From May to October, Pacific bluefin tuna is in. Atlantic bluefin tuna, on the other hand, are in season between the months of June and November. Here at our site, you can find an application for the “Tuna Treaty Permit.” With this, you’ll be able to obtain authorization for port activity and exclusive economic zone entry as a foreign vessel into Canada. Additionally, you can use our site to transfer and renew your Atlantic Tuna Longline Commercial Fishing Permit. These are just some of the forms we offer for fishing tuna.

Commercial Fishing Permits and Licenses for Fishing Professionals
One definite fact we can tell you from years of offering easier access to fishing permits and licenses from all across America: there is so much lucrative fishing in this country. Whether you’re in Massachusetts, the Gulf of Mexico, the California Coast, or anywhere in Alaska, there’s a goldmine, so to speak, of fishing opportunities out there. We can help to make the process a little easier for pros like yourself. You can use our site to take care of not just all of your fishing documentation, but your vessel documentation as well. To see how we can help, we invite you to see all of the forms we have at our site.

USCG Documentation and More: What Sets Commercial Fishing Permits Apart

Have you grown weary of having to go to site after site to find everything you need for your commercial fishing business? Does it feel like too much of a chore to have to go to one place for your federal permits, another for your state licensing, and then somewhere else for your USCG documentation? We’ve always believed that. It’s one of the reasons we created our site: so that vessel owners could do all of those in one place.

Easy USCG Documentation Process
As you may very well know, if you are using a vessel that’s 25 feet or longer for commercial fishing operations in the United States, then you’re going to have to document it with the USCG. We can help with this process. You can do so right on our site, in the same place where you can find all of your state and federal fishing permits and licenses as well. That way, you can do everything all at once, with just a few presses of a button. We’ve found that this greatly expedites the process for our clients.

Expedited Services
Speaking of “expediting the process,” we can help there in multiple ways. We know that when it comes to your vessel documentation or so many of your fishing permits and forms, you may need them very quickly. To that end, we offer rush processing. For a fee, we’ll put your forms right at the top of our queue. That way, you can receive everything back that much faster. When it comes to your commercial fishing business, you don’t want anything to be held up because of documentation. We can help to keep that from happening.

Resources for Professionals
On that same topic, we know that if there are typos and little errors in your forms, that could potentially delay your documentation. We can help there, too. When you send your forms to us, our document processors will go through them thoroughly. We’ll find any errors in there, no matter how small, minor, and so forth. Then, we’ll fix them. Worst to worst, if necessary, we’ll reach out to you for clarification. But, that way, we can make it so that when we pass your forms along to the powers that be, there’s essentially no reason that they should be held up at all.

Commercial Fishing Permits Across America
Practically no matter where you plan on operating your commercial fishing business, you can find the forms for permit and license applications right here. For example, we have a wealth of forms for fishing in and around Alaska. These include federal as well as Alaska state forms. That way, you can be in compliance long before you head out from port. By that same token, we have forms for the Atlantic Coast, from Massachusetts to the Gulf of Mexico as well. If you want to fish in America commercially, we very well may have the forms you need. To see how we can help, click here.

Comprehensive Alaska Commercial Fishing Permits Help for Working Pros

Are you looking for a better process for your Alaska commercial fishing permits? Are you tired of it taking so long to find the permits you need, apply for them, and so forth? We don’t believe the process should be challenging. Indeed, at Commercial Fishing Permits, we’ve helped many commercial fishing professionals not just acquire the permits and licenses they need to make a living in Alaska but to hang onto them as well.

Access
When you come to our site, you can find a wide range of commercial fishing permits and licenses for Alaska all in one place. For years, we’ve offered simple, fast access to Alaska Region permits. Now, we also include access to state ones as well. That way, you can complete all of the forms that you might need all at once without having to hunt around the internet for the next form. This is just one more way that we can expedite the process.

The Alaska Commercial Fishing Permits for Life Changes
We know that, from time to time, things can happen, change can occur, and when they do, you have to update your documentation. This is one more area in which we can help Alaska fishing professionals. For example, at our site, you can find the state form for when your address changes, for when you need to reinstate your commercial fishing permit, when you have to get a replacement permit certificate and more. Additionally, you can request for duplicate licenses as well as change the information on your vessel license as well. That way, you can take care of all of the addition or changing of licensing information for a vessel that’s already licensed for the year pronto.

State and Regional: A Better Way to Complete These Forms
If you’re like many of the commercial fishing pros we’ve talked to over the years, completing documentation is something that can take longer than it should. You either have to do it yourself or you have someone else do it, all of which is time that could be spent with another aspect of your commercial fishing business. To that end, we make it so that our forms can be accessed easily and from anywhere on practically any device. At port, at home, out on the sea – if you can get to your phone, you can complete these forms when you have a minute.

More Than Just Alaska Commercial Fishing Permits Available
We’re quite proud to be able to offer many different permits and licenses for Alaska and the surrounding region. However, that’s far from all that we offer. Indeed, if you’re considering expanding your fishing business into another area, we can help there as well. From Massachusetts to California (and out into Guam/American Samoa) you can find the forms that can help your business through any fishing season. To see how we can help you, we encourage you to check out our site.

All the California Commercial Fishing Permits Your Business May Need

Are you in the process of gearing up to expand your business and go into California for Commercial Fishing Permit? Or, alternatively, do you fish commercially in California waters and want an easier way to take care of all of your important permits and licenses? That’s where we can help. Here at Commercial Fishing Permits, we’ve helped commercial fishing pros with the appropriate documentation for how they want to fish in California waters. Now, we can do the same for you.

Do You Need a Commercial Fish Business License in California?
Yes. If you are going to engage in any business for profit involving fish, then you have to obtain a Commercial Fish Business license. The good news is that they last for a year, from January 1st through December 31st. If they were issued after the beginning of that time, then for the remainder of the year. In addition to these forms, we also offer forms to update your address should it have changed, to be able to apply for a standard or a long-term importation permit, and many others.

The Businesses Our Forms Can Help With
You’ll note that we called our company “Commercial Fishing Permits,” and not “Commercial Fisherman’s Permits.” We did that for many reasons, not the least of which is that we offer more than just permits for those who do the fishing. For example, if you look at the “Commercial Fish Business License Worksheet” form, you’ll see that’s an application to obtain a license for those who wish to legally operate as a fish importer, a fish receiver, a fish processor, a wholesaler, a Marine Aquaria Receiver, to run a Multifunction Fish Business, and for other purposes. Our goal has been, since the very beginning, to help professionals throughout the commercial fishing business.

Documentation As Well
As such, we aim to help commercial fishing professionals with all aspects of their documentation, state and federal. To that end, we also offer easier access to federal documentation as well. If you’re going to operate a commercial fishing vessel that measures more than five net tons (basically, is 25 feet or longer) on California waters or the EEZ off of the California coastline, then you’re going to need to document your vessel federally. You can find all of the forms to do that at our site as well, including renewing your documentation for up to five years in advance.

A Home for California Commercial Fishing Permits and More
If you’re like so many of the commercial fishing professionals you know, you have so much technology on your vessel to streamline the process, to make commercial fishing easier and more profitable. That’s what we aim to be for your licenses, your permits, and your documentation. We can make the process simpler for you so that you can put your focus on other aspects of your business. To see how we can help you with your permits and more, check out the rest of our site.

How to Choosing the Right Alaska Commercial Fishing Permits by Season

Have you been considering expanding your Alaska commercial fishing operation? Here at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we offer permits for many different kinds of Alaska commercial fishing. Indeed, we offer state as well as federal permits. If there are Alaska commercial fishing permits or licenses that your business needs, we probably not only offer them, but we also offer an easier way to access them as well.

Summer
In summer Alaska commercial fishing, you’ll find that there are plenty of fisheries that open in June and don’t close for many months. For example, in early June, that’s when seasons open in some areas for sablefish, salmon, pacific cod, and pollock. Yellowfin sole (at open sea) season opens as does the season for rockfish in late June. While no seasons, as of this writing, open in the month of July, in early August, you can fish for Pacific Cod in the Bering Sea (via hook and line). Then, in mid-August, Gold King Crab season in the Aleutian Islands opens.

Fall
Come September, many of those seasons that opened in July close, such as Area 1 Salmon (fishing by gillnet) as well as some Pacific Cod seasons. Opening in September, however, is King Crab season, as well as those for Mackerel. These seasons may not last all that long, so it’s important to have your documentation completed and ready to go. Pacific Cod in the Gulf of Alaska season, for example, opens on September 1st and closes on October 15th. There’s plenty of opportunity there, but you want to put yourself in a position to be able to take advantage of it.

Permits for All Seasons

Those mentioned above are just some of the different kinds of permits and licenses that may be accessed here at our site. Alaska is home to some of the very best, most lucrative commercial fishing anywhere in the country. As such, we do everything in our power to offer as many Alaska permits to our clients as possible. Beyond that, it’s not enough, for us, to just over the forms. Instead, we want to make it easier on commercial fishing pros to complete the forms, too. So, you can fill these out on any device and from anywhere. Moreover, our document processors can find and fix any small errors that you might have made so that you can get your forms when you want them.

Your Alaska Commercial Fishing Permit Home Online

Alaskan waters hold as much if not more commercial fishing opportunities than anywhere else in the country. That said, our company is not “The Alaska Commercial Fishing Permits Center,” it’s “the Commercial Fishing Permits Center.” We offer state as well as federal permits and licenses for all across the country. That way, we can help commercial fishing pros of all levels and locales to have the forms they need when they need them. To see how we can assist your business, click here.

Federal Fisheries Permit vs. State Permits: What to Look For

Are you unsure about which permits and licensing your commercial fishing enterprise requires? Do you know if your business needs a federal fisheries permit, a state permit, or something else? No matter which of the two you’re interested in, you’ll be able to find them right here on our site. We started Commercial Fishing Permits to be able to help commercial fishing professionals from all walks of life and sizes of business. Below are just some of the permits as well as services that we offer.

What Do You Plan to Fish For?

Really, when it comes to determining whether you need federal permits or state ones, this is the biggest question to ask. Knowing what you want to fish commercially can make all of the difference in the world in determining exactly what kinds of permits your business needs. For example, if you plan on fishing in Rockfish in the Gulf of Alaska, you’re going to want to utilize the appropriate form in the “Alaska Region” of our site. The state forms are for something else entirely, covering vessel licenses, commercial fishing permit applications, and more.

Federal Permits We Offer

For years now, we’ve offered federal fishing permits and licenses throughout the country. Indeed, we’ve broken these down into separate regions, depending on where you plan on running your commercial fishing business. So, we have the Alaska Region for those in the Pacific Northwest, the Atlantic Region for those in the Northeast, the South for those in the Southeast, the Gulf of Mexico, and so forth, as well as the West Coast REgion for California, Oregon, and similar areas. The Pacific Island Region covers fishing around Guam, American Samoa, and nearby waters.

State Forms That We Offer
 
Recently, we’ve begun offering access to state forms as well. We see it as one more way to help fishing professionals with their business, by giving them one less thing to worry about. Now, you can find the federal as well as state forms that you may need to run your business. So, you can get the Massachusetts state forms as well as the Atlantic Regional federal forms you might need all in one place and at one time. You have enough to worry about with your commercial fishing business, the licensing and permits process should be as easy as possible.

Helping Fishing Professionals

It’s not enough for us to just offer the forms to commercial fishing professionals. We also wanted to make sure that commercial fishing profits could fill out these forms as quickly and as easily as possible, too. To that end, these forms can be completed within minutes on any mobile device. So, you can be at port, in a meeting, or even out on the water when you get these forms done. To see all of the different forms we offer access to for your business, we encourage you to explore the rest of our site.

What You Can Do With an Alabama Commercial Fishing License from Our Site

Do you want a simpler way to handle your Alabama? Alligator dealer and farmer permits? Have you been searching for an easier Alabama commercial fishing license process? If you answered “yes” to either of those questions, our permits center can help. We don’t just offer the applications for the Alabama permits that your business needs, we also provide an easier way to complete these forms as well.

Mussels, Minnows, and More
If you’re going to buy, take, catch, or attempt to take or catch any kind of mussel or mollusk on Alabama freshwaters, we’ve got you covered. With our “Mussel Buyer” and “Mussel Catcher” permits, you can apply to be able to perform all of those actions legally. If you want minnows to be used as bait whether inside Alabama or in other states, you can do that with our “Minnow and/or Live Fish Dealer” form. To be clear, this makes it possible for someone who isn’t a resident of Alabama to buy, raise, breed, or propagate those minnows, as well as catch purchase, raise, propagate, breed, or possess live fish for the purpose of stock or restocking any freshwater fish of state as well.

Alligator Opportunities
Of course, we have multiple permits for alligators in Alabama. Each of our permits makes it possible for you to profit from Alabama alligators in a different way. For example, the “Alligator Retailer” permit makes it possible for you to purchase alligator parts and also to sell canned alligator parts, too. By that same token, the “Alligator Parts Dealer” form makes it so that you perform a plethora of services. From buying parts from an alligator farmer for resale to as well as purchasing, canning, processing, and distributing alligator meat for wholesale or retail. Speaking of “alligator farmers,” we have permits for that, too.

Game Fish and Non-Game Fish Permits
Our goal is to offer easier access to as many permits as possible. So, we have the permits that make it possible for you to sell game fish that were raised in hatcheries and sold for stocking of ponds and lakes as well as those non-native game fish that have been raised for human consumption in farm ponds (“Sale of Pond Raised Game Fish” form.) Additionally, you’ll find we have the “Nongame Freshwater Fish Dealer” form, which makes it possible for you to sell non-game freshwater fish that have been taken from public waters. These fish can be living or not with this permit.

Commercial Fishing Permits for Far Beyond Alabama
All throughout Alabama waters, there’s an opportunity for commercial fishing professionals. That said, there are plenty of commercial fishing opportunities all throughout the rest of the country as well. You can find the forms that your business may desire for national operations as well. All of the forms, no matter what state or location they’re for, are easy to fill out in just minutes flat on essentially any kind of device. To see how we can help, click here.

Maryland Commercial Fishing License: More Than Just a License for Crab

Are you looking for simpler ways to take care of your Maryland crab fishing documentation? Or, alternatively, do you want to expand your Maryland commercial fishing operations beyond crab? Yes, Maryland crab fishing is world-renowned for many reasons. That said, crab does not constitute the sum of Maryland commercial fishing opportunities. Here at our permits center, you can find the Maryland commercial fishing license and permit that you’ll need for your business.

Crabbing Licensing Available

If crab harvesting is your business, then the Commercial Fishing Permits Center has your back. Here, you’ll be able to find state fishing permits to use up to 50 crab pots. To better help your business, we offer applications for both “Limited Crab Harvester” and “Limited Crab Harvester” (Male Only). That said, we also are able to offer permits for those whose business has other needs. To that end, you can use the “Crab Harvester (Up to 300 Pots)” application. With any of those permits, you can use crab pots, as well as trotlines, nets, dip nets, pounds, scrapes, and traps. We see it as more ways that we can help our crab fishing clients.

Finfish Your Way

If there’s a way you want to fish for finfish, odds are that we offer an application for it here. You can find the “Finfish Hook and Line” permit, which, of course, allows you to use that gear to harvest finfish so that you can sell them commercially. By that same token, however, you can also avail yourself of our “Unlimited Finfish Harvester.” With this, you can, as the form states, “use all legal equipment to harvest finfish for sale.” We love to provide our clients with options to fit their specific needs.

Clams, Oysters, and More
 
Speaking of the ability to be able to “use all legal equipment to harvest a species for sale,” you can do that with clams through our “Clam Harvest” form. Additionally, with our “Oyster Harvester” form, you can harvest oysters legally in a variety of ways: tonging, diving, or even hand scraping. Should you wish to use a dredge boat to harvest oysters, you can do that with the corresponding form here as well. If you want to harvest cancer crab, conch, lobster, and turtles, we have a form that can allow you to do exactly that.

More Than Just a Way to Acquire a Maryland Commercial Fishing License
Maryland has so much to offer in terms of commercial fishing opportunities. With the forms mentioned above and others, you can run your Maryland commercial fishing operation in the manner you wish. That said, if your business isn’t limited to Maryland, then you can use our site in more areas than just Maryland. For example, we offer commercial fishing permits for the northeast, the southeast, the west, the Pacific coast, and even Alaska. Each of these forms is in an easy-to-complete format. To see how we can help your business, click here.

Why This is The Right Place to Find New York Fishing Permits

Has it been a struggle getting all of your New York fishing permits completed? Are you tired of your commercial fishing documentation being a chore? Those are just some of the reasons that commercial fishing professionals have relied on our permit center for years. Here, you can find just about all of the permits you might need for your business. We offer plenty of forms for a wide range of services on New York waters.

Permits for Fishing
Have you been trying to launch your charter or party boat business? With the “party or Charter Boat Permit Application,” you can operate a charter or party boat legally on state waters while catching and landing fish. By that same token, you can find the permits here to fish where you want to. For example, we offer an application for a “Hudson River Marine Permit.” This will make it possible for you to take and land fish from the Hudson River for commercial purposes and with commercial gear. Those are just some of the forms we offer that can help you to make real money in New York commercial fishing.

Permits for Processing, Bait, and More
There are plenty of commercial fishing opportunities in New York waters that don’t necessarily involve catching “fish.” Case in point: we offer a “Shellfish Digger” permit and resident application. That means you’ll be able to harvest oysters, clams, scallops, and mussels commercially and legally. On top of that, you’ll be able to do it on certified or open state waters. Another form that might be right for your business: the “Marine Bait Permit” application.  You can take silversides, killfish, and Atlantic menhaden (also known as “bunker”) and sell these fish as bait at retail only. Should you want to fish a species in New York commercially, it’s very likely we can help.

How We Can Help
As a commercial fishing professional, your time is precious. You do not have the time to waste waiting for a form to load, printing one out, completing it by hand, and so forth. So, we can help to expedite so many different steps of the process. For example, you can find all of the forms you’ll need right here on our site, all in one place. Moreover, they’ll open entirely and quickly on any device, so you can fill them out at your leisure and on your schedule.

Fishing Permits for the Atlantic, Pacific, and Elsewhere  
New York has, for generations, provided so many commercial fishing opportunities. That said, we understand that many commercial fishing operations are national in scope. So as to be able to accommodate those clients, we offer permits for all across the country. Whether you’re in Alaska, Florida, California, Maine, or practically anywhere else in the country, we can provide not only the forms you’ll need but a better way to fill them out. To see how we can help your business, we invite you to view the rest of our site.

NJ Commercial Fishing Permits: Permit to Grow Your Business

Have you been looking for each NJ commercial fishing permit that you might need for fishing in those waters? Or, alternatively, are you in the process of expanding your commercial fishing operations in New Jersey and want to have everything taken care of as easily as possible? New Jersey may be called “the Garden State,” but there are plenty of fishing opportunities in those waters. We offer not just the permits you may need to fish for what you want in Jersey, but we also offer an easier way to get those permits, too.

Permits For Wherever You’re Located
Here at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we offer the NJ permits you may need regardless of where you are. For example, we offer commercial marine applications for both residents as well as non-residents alike. On top of that, we have permits for those fishing for Menhaden as well. That way, you can make sure that you’re in compliance with the powers that be no matter where you yourself may be located.

Permits for How You Want to Use Your Vessel
Yes, many of our forms are for fishing for particular species to New Jersey, such as the dealer application for Scup, Summer Flounder, and/or Black Sea Bass. Yet, even though the name of our business is “Commercial Fishing Permits Center,” we have plenty of other kinds of permits, too. To wit, the “Scientific Collecting Permits” application makes it possible for you to collect marine and estuarine organisms for scientific purposes. Additionally, we have the permits for if you’re going to go out fishing with groups. For example,. The “Filet Permit for Party Boats” is for those who are going to go out on the water with a minimum of 15 passengers, not including crew members. Those are just some of the forms that we offer.

Why Our Permit Process is So Simple
Offering the forms that commercial fishing professionals can use can be beneficial, yes, but without a simple way to complete those forms, it won’t be very helpful at all. To that end, we make it so that these forms can be completed in minutes flat. So long as you have the information in front of you that you’ll need, these can be completed on a device of your choosing in just a brief period of time. That way, you can complete the forms you need and get on with your life.

Coast-to-Coast Commercial Fishing Assistance
We’re proud to have been able to help so many New Jersey fishing professionals. That said, there are far more that we help with permits than just those in the northeast, or even on the coasts. Here, you can find permits for the Gulf of Mexico, Alaska, the Pacific, and just about anywhere else. If you need a permit for your commercial fishing business, state or federal, the odds are good that we can help. To see how we can benefit your business, click here.

Understand US Commercial Fishing Permit Regulations Before You Start a Business

A commercial fishing business can be quite lucrative, but it’s imperative that you are fully aware of all regulations before you get started. This ensures that you operate legally and can continue to do so without penalties or fines. Having a commercial fishing permit is part of the process. Use this guide to help you understand all of the guidelines so you are properly permitted before you begin fishing.

Obtain the Right Permit
There are several kinds of fishing permits, based on where you fish and the species of fish you catch. Each such permit carries its own regulations, including gear size, types of gear you can use, guidelines for reporting, and other rules. Be sure you are getting the correct fishing permit to avoid being hit with penalties or fines that can cost you time and money.

Consider Endangered Species
Some species of fish and other sea life are protected and, either you can’t fish for them at all, or there are regulations regarding how much of a given creature you can legally catch. In addition to quotas, there may be regulations about the size and type of gear you can use to catch fish and seasonal parts of the year when fishing for certain species is closed. Complying with these rules protects the animals themselves, but also prevents fines and penalties.

Stay Up to Date with Regulations
From time to time, fishing permit regulations may change or be updated. It’s up to you to stay on top of this so you know if you need to make changes to your fishing operation. This might happen when species need to be protected or quotas having to do with sustainability are changed. Even unknowingly violating these regulations can result in consequences, so be sure you stay on top of any changes as they occur.

Stay Competitive
As with any business, commercial fishing can be quite competitive. Being properly permitted keeps you competitive by allowing you to catch the full quantity without exceeding legal quotas. That ensures that you make the most profit that you can with each of your daily hauls. You’ll build trust with your customers when you are legal and able to prove it. Operating a competitive business that allows you to make a living is much easier to do when you know the rules and follow them.

Getting Help
It can be overwhelming and challenging to stay on top of the regulations required of commercial fishermen. Staying fully compliant should be one of your top priorities and finding the right help is important. Fortunately, it’s fast and easy to apply for permits online, as well as update them when they are due to expire. You can also find all of the current regulations online, so you can ensure that you are meeting all of them. Taking some of the time and effort out of the process ensures that you are compliant, without concern about fines and penalties.

Do you need to apply for a commercial fishing permit? You’re in the right place. Let the Commercial Fishing Permits Center help. Contact us today and we’ll help you get through the entire process.

The Relevance of USCG Certificate of Documentation for Your Fishing Vessel

What is the USCG Certificate of Documentation? It’s a vital piece of paperwork that you must have if you operate a commercial fishing business. It certifies that your documentation is up to date and in order, in case you need to present it to the authorities. Boats of certain sizes are required to be documented with the United States Coast Guard and there are several benefits to doing so. Read more about them below.

Proof of Registration and Ownership
Much like you register your vehicle, you must do the same with a boat. Doing so proves that you own the vessel and ensures that you have a United States Coast Guard documentation number. That number operates as your registration “tag,” as well as your Certificate of Documentation. Your number will be placed on your boat and allow the Coast Guard to track and recognize vessels.

Insurance Protection
Your boat has its own unique Universal Serial Number and recognizes your vessel. It can be likened to a social security number. This number helps track ownership of the boat and is vital in case it’s ever stolen or lost. Not only can it help the USCG find your boat, but it’s also necessary if you need to make an insurance claim for loss or theft. Additionally, this number is used anytime a boat is bought or sold and you will need it if you ever decide to sell your boat to a new owner. You should also be sure that number is available anytime you purchase a new or used commercial fishing boat.

United States Coast Guard Registration
Your Coast Guard number allows you to legally fish in a commercial manner in United States waters, as well as the waters of Canada and Mexico. If there is an emergency or the USCG needs to contact you for any reason, this number helps them find you and your vessel. Because your number is unique to your watercraft, it can also be used to track past ownership and maintenance, which comes in handy when a boat is bought or sold.

Utility Services
If your boat is ever involved in some kind of incident, including crime or robbery, your Certificate of Documentation can be used to find you. At the same time, registering your vessel with the United States Coast Guard makes it easier to access utilities that are an important part of operating your boat. That includes trash, water, gas, power, sewage, telephone, and cable television on board your watercraft. It may sound dramatic, but your survival on the water relies on access to these services, so ensuring that you can get them when you need them is part of being a responsible commercial fisherman.

Do you need help understanding and applying for your USCG Certificate of Documentation? Let the Commercial Fishing Permits Center help. Contact us today and we can facilitate the process and answer your questions along the way.

The Purpose of US Fishing Permits

Anytime you operate a fishing vessel that is registered with the United States Coast Guard, it’s imperative that you are properly permitted, including if you operate a commercial fishing vessel. An invalid fishing permit can result in fines and penalties that are best avoided. You may be tempted to fish without a permit, but it’s highly discouraged for a variety of reasons, not least of which is against the law. Below are the reasons why you must have the proper fishing permits anytime you hit the water.

Lower Chance of Facing Legal Trouble

While a fishing permit won’t exempt you from adhering to quotas and species restrictions, it does allow you to fish without concern that you’ll be in trouble. Fishing without permission can lead to some pretty hefty consequences, but having your fishing permit takes that worry away from you and lets you operate your business with peace of mind. A legal fishing permit also gives you access to resources that help you make a living on your commercial fishing vessel.

Offers Health Protection

Fishing is a physical job and that means that you can reap the benefits of the physicality of it each time you go out on your fishing boat. At the same time, there are rules and benefits for commercial fishermen that help you take good care of yourself, both on the boat and off. Failing to have a valid fishing permit can result in loss of your boat and even jail time, in which you won’t be able to reap the health benefits that fishing offers.

Encourages Conservation

The government does benefit financially to a certain degree for each fishing license it approves. However, there’s more to it than that. It also provides funds to conserve natural resources, including fish and their habitats. With the financial and documentation means to track boats and their activity, the government is able to prevent overfishing and control fish populations, while also protecting endangered species and the places where they live.

It’s Required By Law

If nothing else, having a fishing permit is required by law. That includes commercial fishing operations but also extends to recreational fishing. Failure to provide a valid fishing permit will result in legal trouble, including fines, so it’s best to have one on hand anytime you take your boat out on the water. Fortunately, it’s easy to apply for a fishing permit online, taking some of the time and effort out of the process.

Saves You Money
Yes, a fishing permit comes with fees that you have to pay for approval. However, the costs are much greater if you don’t have one. The cost of the permit is much lower than the fines you’ll have to pay if you get caught without one. If you rely on your catch to make a profit, losing your ability to fish can be devastating. It’s always better to budget the cost of a fishing permit so you don’t have to come up with the cash to pay the price if you end up in legal trouble.

Ready to find out more about fishing permits, which ones you need, and how to get them? You’re at the right place. Contact the Commercial Fishing Permits Center today and let us help you get through the entire process.

How NOAA Federal Fisheries Permits Apply to Lobster and Caged Catches

Commercial fishermen can make a pretty good living on the water and lobster are just one of the lucrative species that buyers will always want. The proper NOAA federal fisheries permit ensures that you know who caught your lobster and that it was done so legally and sustainably. Finding out about the lobster’s journey lets you know that the fisherman was fairly compensated when it was caught. If you want to fish commercially for lobster, this guide will tell you everything you need to know about getting the correct permit.

Coastal Lobster Permit

With a coastal lobster permit, you can legally fish for lobster along the coast of your home state. In addition to the application and fees associated with the permit, you must also pass a written test that goes over the local lobster population. Because there are quotas, both daily and annually, in place for lobster fishing, you must also be familiar with the number of lobsters you can bring home. Some species have a higher quota, while others may be much lower. This is not a standard commercial lobster fishing permit, which must be applied for separately. This permit allows you to use traps and hand lines to fish for lobster.

Offshore Lobster Permit

This permit allows you to fish for lobster outside state waters and is one of the commercial fishing permits available for catching lobster and selling it. A coastal lobster permit does not allow for making a profit from your catch so if you plan to put your lobster up for sale, you need an offshore lobster permit. This permit allows for nets, long lines, traps, and some other fishing gear to catch lobster. Be sure you understand any specific regulations in your state when you apply for your fishing permit.

Seasonal Lobster Permit

Maybe you only plan to commercially fish for lobster part of the year and focus on other species during the other seasons. In that case, you need a seasonal lobster permit. It’s important to note that you cannot fish for lobster outside the months on the permit or you could face fines and legal repercussions. For example, if you get a seasonal license for May through June, you cannot legally fish for lobster outside those months. It’s also important to know that you cannot fish for any other marine life during the timeframe for your seasonal lobster permit. Keep your permit on you at all times.

Rod and Reel Permit

If you want to fish for lobster on a smaller scale, a rod and reel permit may be what you need. While you can only keep five liters per year, you can fish for an unlimited number of days during the time frame of the permit. You may not be eligible to sell your lobster for a profit with this type of license so be sure you understand the rules before applying.

Fishing for lobster can be exciting as well as lucrative if you decide to sell your catch. However, to ensure that you get the most out of it, a NOAA federal fisheries permit is required. Contact the Commercial Fishing Permits Center today for all of the help you need to acquire the correct permit.

What You Need to Know About a Personal Fishing Permit

Getting a fishing permit takes a bit of time and effort. There are many options so it’s important to find the one that’s right for your needs. For example, there are different permits for saltwater fishing versus freshwater fishing. Likewise, you can’t use the same fishing license for personal fishing as you would for commercial fishing. If a personal permit is what you are looking for, consider the following information to be sure you purchase the correct one.

Where You Want to Fish
Regulations vary from state to state and some locations have their own set of rules that must be followed. It’s vital to buy a fishing permit for the state in which you plan to fish. For most personal permits, that’s the state in which you reside. However, if you plan to fish in another state, you may need an additional license for that one. Be sure you understand what bodies of water are covered with the permit so you aren’t caught in a place that isn’t covered by your license.

Dates of the Permit
Fishing permits have a duration from just one day to an entire year. This varies by state, but if you only want to do a bit of recreational fishing, a shorter-duration permit will cost less. However, if you are caught fishing outside the dates it covers, you could be subject to penalties and fines. Yearly permits will need to be renewed to keep them current and valid. Be sure you check yours often so that it doesn’t lapse and leave you without a permit while you wait for the new one.

Equipment Used
You might be surprised to find out that some fishing licenses only allow the use of certain equipment and may limit the number of items you can use. The number of rods you can use in your fishing endeavor varies by state and is also influenced by the size of your boat. Be sure that you have a license for each person so that each rod is covered by the permit. Check on quotas and types of fishing equipment allowed and prohibited before you go fishing so that you are aware of what you can and can’t use.

Your Boat Size and Type
Another factor when buying a fishing license is the type of boat you are using and the size of it. If you are steering a large boat with several passengers, each of them will need a fishing permit to be legal. If you’re in a small boat by yourself, your permit will suffice. If you are renting your boat, be sure you have the correct license for freshwater versus saltwater fishing. You might need both if you plan to be in both types of water. You’ll also need a special license for some types of fish and must adhere to all quotas and rules about catching them.

Do you need help determining the right fishing permit for your needs? The Commercial Fishing Permit Center is here for you. Contact us today and we can help you get through the entire process, from start to finish.

All NOAA Permit Applications and Forms are Available Online

As someone who fishes, whether for sport or to make a living, you know that there are a number of permit applications and forms that you must fill out to legally catch fish. In the past, this was done by hand and mailed through standard channels. These days, you can do most of the paperwork online, which cuts down on the time it takes to complete the process. Finding the forms is simple and you can use these tips for getting them filled out and submitted without having to use a pen or find a stamp.

Understand the Permit Requirements

The most important requirement is that you cannot fish until you have your permit. If you’ve applied, but haven’t been approved yet, you are not legally allowed to fish. There are also several other rules that you must follow. They vary from state to state so be sure you understand what’s required of you in the location you plan to do your fishing. In some cases, you will need a special permit for certain species. You may even need more than one permit, depending on your needs. Making sure you have the appropriate licenses will keep you out of trouble and save you from paying fines.

Look at the Types of Licenses Available

Applying for a fishing license online is convenient, but you need to be sure you’re filling out the correct one. Finding out you did the wrong form can result in additional fees and wait time for approval. Look at your options before getting started so you use the right application. For example, there are different permits for saltwater fishing versus freshwater fishing. Likewise, you may need an additional license if you are fishing for a species that is protected and will have to adhere to quotas. Save yourself time and money by knowing which form you need before you get started.

Have the Proper Documentation on the Hand

For approval of a fishing permit, you will need to supply some additional documentation. That could include proof of identity and citizenship, as well as proof that you’ve passed any classes or exams that are required for the permit you are applying for. For example, commercial fishermen must be able to prove that they know how to operate their equipment safely and properly.

Complete the Online Process

With the above tips, you’re now ready to complete the application process for your fishing permit. Doing this online simplifies and speeds the process and you can find virtually any form you need. The online forms walk you through the process and can help ensure that you input the correct information in the right places. You can upload any necessary documentation and pay the fees online as well. Once submitted, you’ll just need to wait for your application to be processed and approved. Then you’ll be ready to hit the water and go fishing.

Do you need help with the online permit applications and forms process? You’re in the right place. Contact the Commercial Fishing Permits Center today for all the assistance you need to get your forms filled out online.