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Apply for a commercial fishing permit

Download the commercial fishing permit application, then mail it in or visit an office to process it.
Mail-in applications generally take 2-3 weeks to process.
Download the application  Learn about applying online 

Contacts

Division of Marine Fisheries

Phone

Main Call Division of Marine Fisheries, Main at (617) 626-1520

Online

Email Email Division of Marine Fisheries at marine.fish@mass.gov
DMF Staff Directory 
Subscribe to DMF's advisory updates 

Division of Marine Fisheries - Gloucester Office

Phone

Call Division of Marine Fisheries - Gloucester Office at (978) 282-0308

Online

DMF Staff Directory View 
Learn more about this organization 

Division of Marine Fisheries - New Bedford Office

Phone

Call Division of Marine Fisheries - New Bedford Office at (508) 990-2860

Online

DMF Staff Directory Contact DMF staff 
Learn more about this organization 

The Details

How to apply

To submit an application by mail, you must:

  • Print and fill out the application form
  • Print and fill out control notices and affidavits (only required for certain endorsements, see Commercial fishing permits page for more details)
  • Send form and check to: 

        Division of Marine Fisheries
        836 S. Rodney French Blvd. 
        New Bedford, MA 02744

or 

Division of Marine Fisheries
30 Emerson Avenue 
Gloucester, MA 01930

If you would prefer to submit in person, you may visit one of our 2 walk-in locations.

Gloucester:

30 Emerson Ave.
Gloucester, MA 01930

  • Hours: Monday-Friday (9 a.m-3 p.m.)
  • You can pay with a personal check or money order, no cash payments.

New Bedford:

SMAST East/Division of Marine Fisheries
836 South Rodney French Blvd.
New Bedford, MA 02744

  • Hours: Monday-Friday (9 a.m.-3 p.m.)
  • You can pay with a check or money order, no cash payments.

New! Visit the online permitting page for more information. 

More info

If you're not sure if your transaction can be completed at a particular office, please contact our office at (617) 626-1520.

If you would like to apply for an aquaculture, master digger, or scientific permit, please visit our special permits page.

Downloads

Open PDF file, 183.56 KB,  Application for Commercial Saltwater Fishing Permits (English, PDF 183.56 KB)
Open PDF file, 317.84 KB,  Shellfish Harvesting, Handling, and Transporting Affidavit (English, PDF 317.84 KB)
Open PDF file, 67.57 KB,  Dogfish Control Notice (English, PDF 67.57 KB)
Open PDF file, 123.59 KB,  Striped Bass Control Notice Affidavit (English, PDF 123.59 KB)
Open PDF file, 123.19 KB,  Sea Urchin Diver Affidavit (English, PDF 123.19 KB)
Open PDF file, 123.29 KB,  Sea Urchin Dredge Affidavit (English, PDF 123.29 KB)
Open PDF file, 194.71 KB,  Vessel Replacement Form (English, PDF 194.71 KB)
Open PDF file, 180.78 KB,  Employee Shellfish Transaction Card (English, PDF 180.78 KB)

Contact

Phone
Main Call Division of Marine Fisheries, Main at (617) 626-1520
Online
Email Email Division of Marine Fisheries at marine.fish@mass.gov
DMF Staff Directory 
Subscribe to DMF's advisory updates 
Fax
(617) 626-1509
Address
Gloucester Field Office
30 Emerson Avenue, Gloucester, MA 01930
Directions 
Phone
Call Division of Marine Fisheries - Gloucester Office at (978) 282-0308
Online
DMF Staff Directory View 
Fax
(617) 727-3337
Learn more about this organization 
Address
836 S Rodney French Blvd, New Bedford, MA 02744
Directions 
Phone
Call Division of Marine Fisheries - New Bedford Office at (508) 990-2860
Online
DMF Staff Directory Contact DMF staff 
Fax
(508) 990-0449
Learn more about this organization 

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