Role of the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) serves as manager of the state's fish and wildlife resources. Among other duties, DFW must protect and manage fish and wildlife, including establishing the time, place, manner, and methods used to harvest or enjoy fish and wildlife.
Commercial Fishery Licensing. DFW manages the commercial harvest of fish and shellfish. Commercial fishers, and fish buyers and dealers, must obtain applicable licenses from DFW. Commercial fishing license fees are structured by species and fishing gear. There is a resident and nonresident fee for each license type.
Crewmembers of commercial fishing vessels must obtain a crewmember license. A commercial fishing license holder may purchase up to two crewmember licenses for any individual working on the vessel named on the commercial fishing license. Each such crewmember license covers one crewmember per trip. Immediate family members, including spouses, children, or grandchildren, of a person who holds a commercial fishing license are exempt from the crewmember licensing requirement.
Commercial Fishery Enforcement. The fish and wildlife enforcement code contains civil and criminal penalties for violations of commercial fish and wildlife fishing, licensing, and recordkeeping requirements. Examples include:
The Fish and Wildlife Commission may adopt fishery-specific rules to increase the number of commercial fishing crewmember licenses that may be held by a commercial fishing license holder and that pertain to the issuance, validity, use, possession, and display of the license.
Individuals required to have a crewmember license must carry at least one piece of identification that contains their photograph and signature. A crewmember license held by a commercial fishing license holder may not be used to cover an individual who is prohibited from obtaining a crewmember license.