Resources for Fishing | NOAA Fisheries Error message The submitted value 1000044531 in the Topic element is not allowed. Resources for Fishing Resources for Fishing Commercial, Recreational, and Subsistence Fishing Resources Resources for commercial, recreational (sport), and subsistence fishing across the U.S. regions. NOAA Fisheries works in partnership with regional fishery management councils to manage fisheries in federal waters, which typically span 3 to 200 nautical miles from shore. Rules and requirements vary by fishing type, area, marine species, and gear type. In general, fisheries rulemaking, permitting, and other management activities are led by our five regional offices. Image Regional Fisheries Resources Each region has specific resources for permits, rules, regulations, reporting requirements, landings, and other fishery topics. Alaska fisheries New England/Mid-Atlantic fisheries Pacific Islands fisheries Southeast fisheries West Coast fisheries Featured News Leadership Message 50 Years of Innovation and Leadership: Celebrating the Magnuson-Stevens Act Alaska New England/Mid-Atlantic Pacific Islands Southeast West Coast National International Leadership Message Celebrating National Fishing and Boating Week 2024 National Feature Story Are Alaska Fishing Communities and Fishermen Prepared for Climate Change? Alaska Media Release Fishery disaster declarations approved in Louisiana and Mississippi National View More News More Information Sustainable Fisheries Regional Fisheries Management Councils Permits and Forms Rules and Regulations Funding and Financial Services Fishery Bulletins Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishing and Offshore Renewable Energy Notices & Rules Fisheries Federal Register Notices of Proposed and/or Continuing Information Collections as Required by the Paperwork Reduction Act Alaska Alaska Fisheries Pacific Halibut Catch Sharing Plan and Annual Management Measures - Federal Register Rules and Notices Alaska Alaska Fisheries 2026 Chub Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Specifications New England/Mid-Atlantic New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Revised 2026 Atlantic Mackerel Specifications New England/Mid-Atlantic New England/Mid-Atlantic Fisheries North Pacific Observer Program Standard Ex-Vessel Prices for Groundfish and Halibut - Federal Register Rules and Notices Alaska Alaska More Fisheries Notices & Rules Bulletins Inseason Actions #26-#27 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Commercial & Recreational) West Coast West Coast Inseason Actions #23-#25 in Ocean Salmon Fisheries, South of Cape Falcon (Recreational & Commercial) West Coast West Coast NOAA Fisheries Announces Revised 2026 Atlantic Mackerel Fishery Specifications New England/Mid-Atlantic New England/Mid-Atlantic 2026 and Projected 2027 Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Specifications Final Rule New England/Mid-Atlantic New England/Mid-Atlantic Limited Entry Deep-set Buoy Gear Permit Tier 9 Application West Coast West Coast More Bulletins Upcoming Events There are currently no upcoming events. More Events Open Funding Opportunities There are currently no open funding opportunities. More Opportunities Permits & Forms There are a variety of permitting requirements associated with fishing in federal waters. Find permit information for commercial fishermen, recreational fishermen, for-hire fishing, seafood dealers, and seafood traders. Find fishing, dealer, and trade permits Rules & Regulations Find current rule-making actions—the latest notices and proposed rules open for comment, as well as final rules for various fishery management plans and related amendments. Find fishery rules and regulations Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Atlantic highly migratory species are very popular with saltwater anglers. These fish live throughout the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and Caribbean waters and include tuna, sharks, swordfish, and billfish. Learn more about Atlantic highly migratory species Regional Fishery Management Councils The MSA created eight regional fishery management councils responsible for the fisheries in their region that require conservation and management. The councils develop and amend fishery management plans, set annual catch limits, develop research priorities, implement rebuilding plans, and conduct public meetings. Find your regional fishery management councils Multimedia NOAA Fisheries Video Gallery Video A U.S. Fisherman's Perspective on Sustainable Seafood National Video Footage from the Fisheries National Podcast Listening for Cod in the Gulf of Maine New England/Mid-Atlantic Commercial Fishing Commercial fishing regulations and requirements in federal waters can vary by area, marine species, and gear type. Find region-specific tools and resources: Alaska New England/Mid-Atlantic Pacific Islands Southeast (including the Gulf of America and Caribbean) West Coast If a fish species is managed through both state and federal regulations, federally permitted commercial fishermen must follow the more restrictive regulations regardless of where they are operating. Commercial fishermen operating in state waters must follow rules and requirements set by the state or U.S. territory. Federal Commercial Fishing Permits Our regional offices issue most federal commercial fishing permits. Commercial fishing vessels may need multiple federal permits or a combination of federal and state permits to participate in various fisheries. All  commercial fishing permits All dealer, importer, and exporter permits Online Permit Systems Many federal commercial fishing permits can be acquired or renewed online through our National Permit System or regionally managed online systems. National Permit System Fishermen can apply for P acific highly migratory species, West Coast coastal pelagic species, Hawai'i domestic and foreign fishing, and international trade permits through our National Permit System Regional Permit Systems Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Permit Shop eFISH (Alsaka) FishOnline (New England/Mid-Atlantic) Southeast Fisheries Permit System (renewals only) Pacific Coast Groundfish and Halibut Portal *Some Atlantic HMS permits are issued by our Greater Atlantic or Southeast regional offices. Learn where to apply in the permit descriptions Commercial Fisheries Landings Our commercial landings database allows visitors to build custom landings reports of non-confidential data. The data is organized by fishing type, year, region, state, and marine species. The data presented in this database may not match the data in published versions of Fisheries of the United States or in other online landings queries. Visit the database for details. About the data Fishery Management Plans, Rules, and Regulations Most federal fishing regulations come from fishery management plans. Under the Magnuson-Stevens Act , every fishery requiring conservation and management must have a fishery management plan. The plans describe problems in the fishery and identify management measures to protect, restore, and promote its long-term health. In general, fishery management plans are developed and amended by one of eight regional fishery management councils . In addition, NOAA Fisheries is directly responsible for the management of Atlantic highly migratory species Search for rules and regulations in effect and find fishery rulemaking actions open for comment: All fishery management plans and amendments Commercial fishing notices and rules Commercial rulemaking open for comment All fishery bulletins Commercial Fishing Management Actions Being Considered Visit the regional fishery management council websites to learn about and provide feedback on federal fishery management actions and alternatives under consideration: North Pacific Pacific Western Pacific Gulf Caribbean South Atlantic Mid-Atlantic New England You can also provide feedback on measures affecting Atlantic highly migratory species managed directly by NOAA Fisheries. You can attend scoping or Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel meetings or submit comments to the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division Commercial Fishing Regulations & Resources for U.S Federal Water Find commercial fishing permits, landings, regulations, and resources by region, species, or gear-type for commercial fishing in U.S. federal water. More Information Fisheries Information System Program Fishery Market News Financial Services Vessel and Permit Buyback Programs Resources for the Seafood Industry Vessel Monitoring System Information Turtle Excluder Devices Recreational Fishing Resources Recreational Fishing Image Do I Need a Recreational Fishing Permit or License? State Fishing Regulations and Licenses If you are fishing in state waters (generally 0 to 3 nautical miles off shore), contact your state fish and wildlife agency for a recreational fishing license. Find state fishing regulations and licenses Federal Fishing Permits Since January 1, 2011, a saltwater recreational fishing license or registration from any state or U.S. territory except Hawaii, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands, automatically registers you in the National Saltwater Angler Registry and you do not need to take further action. Otherwise, please visit the registry to ensure you are registered. If you plan on fishing anywhere for highly migratory species—such as tunas and billfish—or for bottomfish in Hawaii, check out the links below to get the permits you need. Atlantic highly migratory species permits Hawaiian Islands bottomfish permit Image Where Can I Fish? Anglers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts can use our comprehensive, online database of public recreational fishing sites from Maine through Mississippi and Puerto Rico. Use the “Guest Login” button to browse recreational access points—and the amenities at each location—in your state. Search public recreational fishing sites Fishing in National Marine Sanctuaries What Can I Catch in Federal Waters? The eight regional fishery management councils establish specific management measures (such as fishing seasons, size limits, and bag limits) based on the best available science, which are then implemented by NOAA Fisheries. Be sure to review the recreational fishing regulations for the region you are fishing in. American Samoa Federal Fishing Regulations Alaska Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Recreational Fishing Compliance Guide Caribbean Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations (PDF, 14 pages) Greater Atlantic Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations Guam Federal Fishing Regulations Gulf of America* Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations Northern Mariana Islands Federal Fishing Regulations South Atlantic Federal Recreational Fishing Regulations Federal Fishing Rules & Regulations In partnership with the regional fishery management councils, interstate marine fisheries commissions, international fisheries management organizations, and under the guidance of the Magnuson Stevens Conservation and Management Act, NOAA Fisheries plays a key role in the implementation and enforcement of federal fishery rules and regulations in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (3 to 200 nautical miles off shore). Find recreational and non-commercial fishing rules and regulations Image Fish released under water with descender device. Credit: NOAA Fisheries. What Responsible Fishing Practices Should I Follow? Learn what you can do to be a responsible steward of our ocean resources. Catch and release Seabird release Fishing tips to protect sea turtles and marine mammals Fishing around sea turtles Image How Can I Get Involved? Find out how you can get involved in monitoring the health of our oceans and fish resources. Bycatch Reduction Engineering Program Cooperative Research Program National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Saltonstall-Kennedy Grant Program Shark Tagging Other Resources Tides Ocean Conditions Nautical Charts Marine Debris Dolphin Smart *Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. On August 7, 2025, NOAA Fisheries and the National Ocean Service amended regulations in the Code of Federal Regulations to reflect the renaming. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes or previously published materials. Resources for Recreational Fishing in U.S. Federal Water Find permits, information about what you can catch, and other resources for recreational fishing in U.S. federal water. More Information National Saltwater Recreational Fisheries Program National and Regional Coordinator Directory Recreational Fishing Data Recreational Fishing Data Queries Regional Fisheries Management Councils Subsistence Fishing Alaska: Subsistence Fishing Regulations Image Subsistence halibut is halibut caught by an eligible rural resident or a member of an eligible Alaska Native tribe for direct personal or family consumption as food, sharing for personal or family consumption as food, or customary trade. Before fishing under the Alaska subsistence fishing halibut regulations, fishermen must obtain a Subsistence Halibut Registration Certificate. Learn more about subsistence fishing in Alaska Pacific Islands: Non-Commercial Fishing Image NOAA Fisheries recognizes the fundamental role that non-commercial and recreational fishing plays in the livelihoods of Pacific Islanders. We work alongside fishermen, partners, and others to conserve fish populations and protect our unique fishing traditions. Learn more about non-commercial fishing in the Pacific Islands West Coast: Tribal Fishing Image Many Pacific Northwest Indian tribes have treaties reserving their right to fish in “Usual and Accustomed” fishing places and include many species in addition to salmon and steelhead. These tribes are co-managers of the fishery resource in partnership with the states and federal government. Learn more about tribal fishing on the West Coast Subsistence and Tribal Fishing in the U.S. Pacific Ocean Find information on subsistence and tribal fishing in the U.S. Pacific Ocean. More Information Partnerships with Tribal Governments Tribal Consultations and Co-Management Pacific Islands Non-Commercial Fishing West Coast Tribal Fishing Regional Fisheries Management Councils Fisheries by Region NOAA Fisheries helps maintain the health and sustainability of our nation's fisheries through five regional offices and six science centers. Use the links below to find regionally specific: Rules and regulations Permits and licenses Online resources Other important tools for fisheries in your region Alaska Image Learn more about sustainable fisheries in Alaska New England/Mid-Atlantic Image Learn more about sustainable fisheries in New England and the Mid-Atlantic Pacific Islands Image Learn more about sustainable fisheries in the Pacific Islands Southeast Image Learn more about sustainable fisheries in the Southeast West Coast Image Learn more about sustainable fisheries on the West Coast Regional Commercial and Recreational Fishing Resources Requirements for fishing in federal water vary by region. Find permits, rules and regulations, and other fishing resources for your region. More Information Alaska Fisheries Greater Atlantic Fisheries Pacific Islands Fisheries Southeast Fisheries West Coast Fisheries Regional Fisheries Management Councils