Ocean Crest Pier

North Carolina Coastal Recreational Fishing License The North Carolina’s Coastal Recreational Fishing License (CRFL) requirement for all salt water anglers 16 years of age and older, administered by the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), was effective beginning Jan. 1, 2007. This license can be purchased on a 10-day, annual or lifetime basis, or combined with a variety of licenses issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC). Sales Agents The new license is available from WRC license agents throughout the state and at any DMF office. The number of license agents will be increased in coastal areas. Requirements The license allows recreational fishermen to take finfish for personal consumption; finfish harvested under this license cannot be sold. Fishermen using this license are held to the state’s recreational size and possession limits. The license cannot be assigned or transferred and is required for ANY type of recreational finfish taken not included under the Recreational Commercial Gear License. Fishermen holding the CRFL are required to comply with all DMF sampling and survey programs. The license is required to recreationally take finfish in the state’s Coastal Fishing Waters, which include sounds, coastal rivers and their tributaries, out to three miles in the ocean. Recreational anglers who catch fish in the Exclusive Economic Zone (3 miles – 200 miles offshore) will be required to have this license to land fish in state waters. Fishing in Joint Waters (areas managed by both the Marine Fisheries and the Wildlife Resources commissions) will require either the CRFL or a WRC inland fishing license. Exemptions Individuals under 16 years of age. Individuals who had purchased any of the following WRC licenses prior to Jan. 1, 2006: · All categories of Lifetime Sportsman licenses; · Lifetime Resident Comprehensive Fishing License; · Lifetime Combination Hunting and Fishing License for Disabled Resident Sportsman; · Disabled Resident Sportsman; · Lifetime Fishing License for the Legally Blind; and · Adult Care Home Resident Fishing License. Blocks of 10 Ten-Day Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses Beginning January 1, 2009, vessel owners or operators may purchase a block of 10, Ten-Day Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses to cover anglers fishing aboard their boat. Each block contains ten licenses. Each license may be issued to one person and is valid for 10 consecutive days from the date first used. This block of licenses costs $150 and is available to owners of private vessels, or the responsible party of a business owned vessel. The boat must be 23 feet or more in length and either registered in North Carolina or do*****ented with the U.S. Coast Guard. These licenses cannot be used aboard a vessel licensed for, or engaged in, for hire (charter) fishing. There is no limit on how many blocks of licenses an individual can purchase. The licenses are not transferable or assignable – they must be used on the vessel for which they were issued. Each license, once issued and expired, must be returned to the Division in a postage paid envelope provided with each license. Each block of licenses is valid for two years from date of purchase. Blocks of 10 Ten-Day Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses are only available from the Division of Marine Fisheries license offices or by mail. Blanket Licenses For-hire vessels and ocean fishing piers have the option to purchase a blanket license to cover their fishing patrons. When purchasing a Blanket License, vessel operators must provide a copy of the U. S. Coast Guard license that allows taking people for-hire. Please Note: Blanket Licenses are ONLY available at DMF offices Waivers A free license waiver is available for subsistence anglers from their local Department of Social Services. Marine Resources Funds Proceeds from the sale of this license will go into two marine resources funds managed by the state’s Marine Fisheries and Wildlife Resources commissions. Revenues must be used to manage, protect, restore, develop, cultivate, conserve and/or enhance North Carolina’s marine resources. For more license information, please call the DMF at 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632, or visit North Carolina CRFL Frequently Asked Questions.