Why Do I Need a License in International Waters?

August 7, 2018

Question: Why does a United States citizen (a resident of California) need a fishing license to fish international waters off the California coast? (Anonymous)

Answer: California waters extend from the shore (high tide line) out to three nautical miles, federal waters stretch from three nautical miles to 200 nautical miles and international waters begin at 200 nautical miles out. All waters out to 200 nautical miles are still patrolled and managed cooperatively with the federal government. Any fish taken outside of 200 nautical miles must still meet all fishing regulations in order to be brought back into U.S. waters, and all fish landed at California ports must additionally meet all California regulations.

Fisheries in all state and federal waters have regulations and many have strict management guidelines to properly manage the take of various species to assure overfishing does not occur which could collapse those and related fisheries. Regulations and limitations of fishing activities and take is imperative, especially in waters of a state populated by nearly 40 million people.