Commercial fishermen, charter captains asked to renew state licenses without delay

The Carolina Girl charter boat fishes out of Hatteras Harbor Marina. [photo courtesy Carolina Girl Sportfishing/Facebook]

Renewal packets for fiscal year 2021 commercial and for-hire fishing licenses and permits are in the mail, and the Division of Marine Fisheries is asking fishermen to complete and return the applications without delay.

Division offices are currently closed to the public, and the division is only facilitating license purchases and renewals through mail or through a combination of mail and over the phone.

Fiscal year 2020 commercial and for-hire licenses and permits will expire June 30, 2020, but due to the delay that mail processing may cause, it is important that fishermen not wait until the last minute to renew.

As an alternative to the mail, fishermen also may submit completed applications with payment (check, cashier’s check, or money order only) in drop boxes provided at the following division offices:

DMF Headquarters
3441 Arendell St.
Morehead City
Phone: 252-726-7021 or 800-682-2632

Manteo Field Office
1021 Driftwood Dr.
Manteo
Phone 252-473-5734 or 800-405-7774

Pamlico District Office
943 Washington Square Mall, Highway 17
Washington
Phone: 252-946-6481 or 800-338-7804

Southern District Office
127 Cardinal Drive Extension
Wilmington
Phone: 910-796-7215 or 800-248-4536

Further information regarding individual commercial and for-hire license and permit renewals is included in the renewal packets. Fishermen who have questions should call their local license office at the number listed above or email License@ncdenr.gov.

Coastal Recreational Fishing Licenses can be purchased or renewed online at www.ncwildlife.org or by calling N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission at 1-888-248-6834 during office hours.

.