Marine District Party & Charter Boat License
New York State developed Commercial Fishing Services and For-Hire Vessels Guidelines for Employers and Employees (PDF) to provide owners/operators of guides, commercial fishing services and for-hire vessels and their workers and contractors with precautions to help protect against the spread of COVID-19 as these activities resume or expand upon their current essential operations.
Business owners must affirm that they have read and will operate according to the Interim Guidance For Commercial Fishing Services And For-Hire Vessels During The Covid-19 Public Health Emergency (PDF). Businesses are accountable for staying current with any updates to these requirements, as well as incorporating into any commercial fishing service and for-hire vessel and/or Site Safety Plan.
License Details
The Party and Charter Boat License allows the license holder to carry recreational fishing passengers for hire on a registered vessel or to land fish taken by recreational fishing passengers outside the territorial waters of the state.
Fee
$250
Age Requirement
Applicants 18 years old or under must have application signed and notarized by parent or legal guardian.
Permit Duration
Permit expires December 31 of each year.
How to Apply
DEC's Marine Permit Office is closed to walk-in customers until further notice. Please send all applications by mail and contact the Marine Permit Office with question or concerns by calling 631-444-0470 or email MPO@dec.ny.gov.
- You may contact the Marine Permit Office and request an application be mailed to you.
- An online application (PDF) is also available for you to download.
- Include copies of your valid U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License, the vessel state registration or U.S. Coast Guard Vessel Documentation of the vessel identified on the party and charter boat license, and the Captain's Licenses for all individuals who may operate the vessel.
- If your vessel carries over six (6) passengers, please include a copy of U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Vessel Inspection.
- Complete the application and submit it, the required documents and the license fee to the Marine Permit Office at the address below.
Renewing & Reporting
License Renewal
A renewal form will be sent by mail prior to the permit expiration date. If a license renewal form is not received at least 2-weeks prior to the expiration date, please contact us at the address or number below.
Annual Reporting
The license holder must submit vessel trip reports (VTRs) monthly to DEC (or NMFS if a federal permit holder).
Laws & Regulations
New York Codes Rules and Regulations (NYCRR)
Part 40: Marine Fish (leaves DEC website)
Environmental Conservation Law (ECL)
To find a law click on the link, click on ENV, find Article 13, click on the appropriate law.
- 13-0336 - Marine and coastal district party and charter boat license (leaves DEC website)
Fishing Limits
Recreational harvest limits for marine fish are available at: Saltwater Fishing Regulations - Recreational
Federal For-hire Vessel Permitting and Reporting
If you are a for-hire captain fishing in federal waters (3-200 miles offshore) for one of the species listed below, you must have a valid Greater Atlantic region Vessel Charter/ Party Permit. Vessel operators are also required to have a Federal Vessel Operator Permit.
- Summer Flounder
- Black Sea Bass
- Scup
- Bluefish
- Atlantic Mackerel
- Squid
- Bluefish
- Lobster
- Butterfish
- Lobster Golden Tilefish (North of NCNA border)
- Blueline Tilefish (North of NCNA border)
- New England Groundfish including cod, haddock, pollack, hakes and flounders (i.e.,"Northeast mutispecies")
However, if you have a Northeast Multispecies limited Access Permit, you do not need the Northeast Multispeices Charter/Party Permit to carry passengers for hire on groundfish trips. For more information visit NOAA Fisheries Vessel and Dealer Permitting website (link leaves DEC website).
For-hire Vessel Trip Reporting
Once you have a federal permit, you must report your catch.
- If you only have a groundfish permit, you must submit vessel trip reports weekly, either electronically or by paper.
- If you have a for-hire permit for any other species listed above, you must submit vessel trip reports electronically within 48 hours of the end of your for-hire trip.
Contact Information
Marine Permit Office - Division of Marine Resources
205 North Belle Mead Road, Suite 1
East Setauket, New York 11733
Phone: 631-444-0470
Email: MPO@dec.ny.gov
