Recreational Saltwater Permit

 

Good Afternoon,

 

Thank you for your recent comment regarding the recreational saltwater fishing permit.  The Division of Marine Fisheries (MarineFisheries) is glad to inform you that all individuals 60 years of age or older are exempt for purchasing a Massachusetts recreational saltwater fishing permit.  This fee exemption was part of the legislation signed into law by Governor Deval Patrick on November 24, 2009, and it can be found in both Massachusetts General Law (M.G.L. c. 130 §17C) and MarineFisheries regulations (322 CMR 7.10(9)(b)). 

 

 

 

However, it is important for individuals 60 years of age and older to know they are still required to obtain a permit and are subject to convenience fees charged by 3^rd party permit vendors (e.g., internet or retail locations).  The rationale for these individuals to hold this permit is that approximately one-third of the Commonwealth’s recreational fishery is comprised of individuals 60 years of age and older; for the Marine Recreational Fishing Survey (MRFS) to better access recreational finfish catch and effort data, and improve our understanding of the impact of the recreational fishery on our coastal finfish stocks, it is necessary for these individuals join the registry and take part in the MRFS survey. 

 

 

 

If you have any other questions about this permit program, please do not hesitate to contact me!

 

 

Jared Silva

Program Coordinator

Division of Marine Fisheries

617-626-1534