Selling Fish From a Sport Boat

May 23, 2008

Question: If I have a commercial ocean fishing license and I go out on a sport boat, am I allowed to sell my catch should there be someone who would want to buy it?

Answer: NO! This is not allowed under any circumstances and here are some of the main reasons why you cannot sell fish caught on a sport fishing boat:

1.   Commercial fishing may be done only on a vessel officially licensed as a commercial fishing boat that is authorized for this activity.

2.   The law mandates that commercial fishing and sport fishing must be done independently. Sport fishing and commercial fishing may not be done on a boat simultaneously, even between different fishermen.

3.   Even if you hold a commercial fishing license, in order for you to legally fish on that sport boat, you must also hold a valid sport fishing license and be fishing only under the regulations that govern sport fishing. Any fish taken under a sport fishing license may not be bought, sold, traded or bartered. A commercial fishing license will not entitle you to sell any fish taken while you were recreationally fishing.

4.   Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessels (a.k.a. CPFVs or party boats) are licensed as “commercial” vessels to take passengers only. Their licenses designate that only sport fishing is allowed on the boats and that the boats may not be used for any commercial fishing purposes what-so-ever. Even the crew members of the CPFVs are not allowed to sell any fish taken on these trips.

5.   Conversely, while no commercial fishing may take place on a sport fishing boat, commercial fishermen can sport fish from their commercially-licensed boats as long as they hold a valid sport fishing license and do so on a trip that is independent of any commercial fishing activity.

6.   Finally, in order for you to sell any fish to the public that you legally catch under your commercial license, you must also have a fish retail license.

These laws are very clear on the books and there is no wiggle room anywhere here to allow for selling sport-caught fish.

If I have a commercial fishing license and boat can I fish from shore commercially?

If I have a commercial fishing license and boat can I fish from shore commercially?

I think No, but why would you? 

If I have a commercial fishing license and boat can I fish from shore commercially?

I have seen commercial fishing from shore for perch, but that's the only commercial shore fishing I have ever seen. 

Was just curious and didnt want to get a ticket.

Good question. I think the answer is Yes as long as you're harvesting fish that you're permitted to take (black&yellows, greenling, cabezon = nearshore permit) or taking fish that don't require a permit like perch.  ????