Offshore Lobster Permit allows the landing and sale of lobsters (to a licensed dealer) taken outside of the coastal waters of the commonwealth only; pursuant to a federal lobster permit. The permit may be endorsed to take and sell shellfish and finfish at no additional cost.

Seasonal Lobster Permit is issued to full-time students only (verification required), and allows the licensee only to take and sell lobsters (to a licensed dealer) from June 15 - Sept. 15. A maximum of 25 pots may be used. Diving is not permitted, sale of fish and/or shellfish in not permitted.

Boat Permits allows the taking, landing and sale of fish (to a licensed dealer) and may be endorsed for shellfish. The permit covers everyone aboard the vessel. Price varies with vessel size. No lobsters may be taken.

Individual Permit allows the holder only to take, land and sell fish (to a licensed dealer) and may be endorsed for shellfish. No lobster may be taken.

Shellfish Permit allows an individual to take, land and sell (to a licensed dealer) shellfish and seaworms. A shellfish ID card, from the Division, and town permit are also required.

Rod & Reel Permit allows the holder only, to catch and sell finfish (to a licensed dealer) caught by Rod & Reel only. No other gear types may be used.

All persons engaged in the wholesale or retail trade of raw fish, shellfish, lobsters, or bait, whether frozen or unfrozen must have a Dealer permit from the Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries and may be subject to inspection from the Department of Public Health. Shellfish dealers must check Food & Drug regulations for tagging and record keeping.

Beginning in 2004, any MA seafood dealer who purchases seafood products, even if for bait purposes, directly from fishermen is considered a primary buyer, and must indicate so on this application. For businesses with multiple locations, this application must be completed for each location in MA which is purchasing any seafood product(s) directly from fishermen. In addition, all Federally permitted dealers must complete this application regardless whether they are a primary buyer or not.

Special permits are required for scientific collection, shellfish aquaculture, shellfish propagation, contaminated shellfish harvest, and for the non-commercial harvest of lobster. Regulated fisheries are now issued as endorsements on commercial permits. See the DMF Abstracts for information on the various types of special permits required.

A Non-Commercial Lobster permit is required to fish for or take lobsters and crabs for personal use. This authorizes the holder and members of the holders' immediate family, residing in the same residence, to fish for and take lobsters using 10-pots only. The immediate family is defined as the spouse, parents, children, grandparents, brothers and sisters of the holder. This permit may be endorsed for diving by the permit holder only. Other family members may purchase additional permits for diving only. Non-residents may obtain this permit if they own at least $5,000 in Massachusetts real-estate, and temporarily reside in a Massachusetts coastal city or town.

The State Waters Groundfish Endorsement (GE) is required for any commercial operation catching, landing, and possessing groundfish in state waters, but not fishing under a federal Multispecies or monkfish permit. In addition to monkfish, the ten federally managed groundfish species covered by the GE are cod, haddock, pollock, redfish, white hake, yellowtail flounder, winter flounder, windowpane flounder, American plaice and witch flounder.

This form is required under the DMF May 2006 policy for the transfer of limited entry permits from one vessel to another. If you would like to replace your existing vessel, you must complete this form and return it along with copies of the registration/documentation papers for both boats.