NOAA/NMFS Permits required for Private boats for swordfishin

[sharks58]

:shock: Can anyone clarify for me if I need to obtain a special license
to fish for swordfish off Miami Beach and area? Where do state waters end / Federal waters begin and international waters begin???? Are the permits need to fish international waters? Does anyone care?
Thanks! :wink:

[hannaman]

Absolutely, If your going to land a Swordfish and bring it onto US ports you must have a federal permit. Go to www.nmfspermits.com Their only $22.00 for the year.

[sword]

IIRC, the permit is for the BOAT and not the person who is applying. Also it permits you to take other allowable offshore species, such as tunas, and sharks should be inclined to do so. It is required if you intend to land offshore species regardless of what state you land the fish in. Yes, the State marine enforcement officers can hold you for federal violations.

State water typically starts at the beach and goes out to 3 NM; Federal water starts at 3 NM and goes out to 12 NM. The EEZ [Exclusive Economic Zone] goes from 12 NM to 200 NM. The EEZ is each coastal country's claim to fishing and mineral/oil rights below the surface out 200 NM. Beyond 200 NM is considered the High Seas. And just to confuse the issue foreign vessels may navigate to within 12 NM of the coastline as long as they are just "transiting" and not fishing or exploring for minerals.