Question about getting a Lobster Permit in MA

[netprofit]

I’m interested in getting into commercial lobstering in Northern MA. However, I was told I could not purchase a license even though it was included in the purchase of the boat. This individual told me that since I have never been a commercial lobsterman I couldn’t transfer the license that comes with the boat into my name? If this is true, is there a way to get a license? I appreciate any advice you can offer.

 

[soldsoul4foos]

I’m interested in getting into commercial lobstering in Northern MA. However, I was told I could not purchase a license even though it was included in the purchase of the boat. This individual told me that since I have never been a commercial lobsterman I couldn’t transfer the license that comes with the boat into my name? If this is true, is there a way to get a license? I appreciate any advice you can offer.

Hmm. Ok, I'm not a commercial lobsterman, but I'll chime in anyway. In Maine, you have to go through an apprenticeship program, then wait in line to get your own commercial license. Conservatively for an adult, they say the wait list is 10 years. I'm assuming mass has some similiar system. The permit, I would assume goes with 'the boat' is if you already have your commercial license. Guessing it's a federal permit.

Good luck.

 

[wildcard]

Unless you've got a lot of cash lying around, it's best to figure the business out, before you put tens of thousands of $$ in gear on the ocean floor. Amateur hour isn't tolerated.

Transfer of limited access permits is very specifically detailed here:
Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries - Regulations - 322 CMR 7.00 - PERMITS

Section 7.06 details the requirements needed by the transferee.

(b) Transferee. The person to whom the permit is transferred must document at least one year of full time or equivalent part time experience in commercial fishing. The person to whom the permit is transferred must be the owner/operator of the new business. If the permit is issued in the name of a vessel, the transferee must be the operator of the vessel or the majority owner of the vessel.
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[lobstercatcher]

Yes and no. You need to have a minimum amount of experience in the commercial field. However , it can be on a gill netter or dragger etc. I also dosen't specify it has to be in Ma. For instance, If you were a shrimper for 5 years in the state of Washington, they ( DMF) would take that into concideration.

there may also be a few other things that could be done.

 

[steveinak]

I wouldn't worry so much about getting a permit as i would be worried about where i was going to set my gear . Guys get mighty touchy about the new guy fishing next to or on top of them!! I lobstered a lot of years back there before moving to Alaska so i'm not talking out my arse about this.

 

[Capttony]

lobster catcher and steve are both right on. if you try hard enough or the person selling it to you wants to get rid of his license it's not that difficult. Steve's point on the other hand is more of an issue, the state put this the clause about having commercial experience in the requirements to make their life easier. It gives you the time needed to learn the lay of the land. if you just get someone to sign off for your commercial time you are on your own. Its EXTREMELY difficult to carve out your little piece of ocean, and I'm not talking about reality TV, i'm talking about reality. good luck

 

[steveinak]

lobster catcher and steve are both right on. if you try hard enough or the person selling it to you wants to get rid of his license it's not that difficult. Steve's point on the other hand is more of an issue, the state put this the clause about having commercial experience in the requirements to make their life easier. It gives you the time needed to learn the lay of the land. if you just get someone to sign off for your commercial time you are on your own. Its EXTREMELY difficult to carve out your little piece of ocean, and I'm not talking about reality TV, i'm talking about reality. good luck

Well said with the "carve out" being the key words