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.

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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

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

Ourregional 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 Pacific highly migratory species, West Coast coastal pelagic species, Hawai'i domestic and foreign fishing, and international trade permits through ourNational 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 thepermit descriptions. 

Commercial Fisheries Landings

Ourcommercial 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 theMagnuson-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 eightregional fishery management councils. In addition, NOAA Fisheries is directly responsible for the management ofAtlantic 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 affectingAtlantic highly migratory species managed directly by NOAA Fisheries. You can attend scoping orAtlantic Highly Migratory Species Advisory Panel meetings or submit comments to theAtlantic Highly Migratory Species Management Division.

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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 theNational 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

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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 (PDF, 22 pages)

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

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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

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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.

Alaska: Subsistence Fishing Regulations

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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

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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

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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

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

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New England/Mid-Atlantic

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Learn more about sustainable fisheries in New England and the Mid-Atlantic

Pacific Islands

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Southeast

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West Coast

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