Subchapter 03o - LICENSES, LEASES, FRANCHISES, AND PERMITS

section .0100 - LICENSES

15A NCAC 03O .0101 procedures AND REQUIREMENTS TO OBTAIN LICENSES, ENDORSEMENTS, AND COMMERCIAL FISHING VESSEL REGISTRATIONS

(a) Division of Marine Fisheries licenses are available at offices of the Division or by mail from the Morehead City Office of the Division, unless otherwise specified. In addition, Recreational Commercial Gear Licenses are available at license agents of the Wildlife Resources Commission in accordance with G.S. 113-270.1.

(b) For the purpose of this Rule, the procedures and requirements for the licensee shall also apply to the responsible party, the person holding power of attorney, the tournament organizer, and the vessel master.

(c) To obtain Division of Marine Fisheries licenses, endorsements, and Commercial Fishing Vessel Registrations, a licensee shall provide a completed application to an office of the Division by mail or in person. Applications submitted without complete and required information shall not be processed until all required information has been submitted. Incomplete applications shall be returned to the applicant with deficiency in the application so noted. The following shall be required for the application:

(1) full name, physical address, mailing address, date of birth, and signature of the licensee. If the licensee is not appearing before a license agent or a representative of the Division, the licensee's signature shall be notarized.

(2) a statement from the licensee that the information and supporting documentation submitted with the application is true and correct.

(3) current and valid picture identification of the licensee. Acceptable forms of picture identification are state driver's license, state identification card issued by the Division of Motor Vehicles, military identification card, resident alien card (green card), or passport; or if purchased by mail, a copy thereof.

(4) certification that the applicant does not have four or more marine or estuarine resource convictions during the previous three years.

(5) current articles of incorporation and a current list of corporate officers when purchasing a license or Commercial Fishing Vessel Registration in a corporate name. In the case of incorporation of an individual fishing vessel, the name of the vessel master shall also be specified. The licensee shall notify the Morehead City Office of the Division within five days of changing the vessel master.

(6) a current copy of a written partnership agreement shall be provided when purchasing a license, endorsement, or Commercial Fishing Vessel Registration in a partnership name, if a partnership is established.

(7) valid documentation papers or current motor boat registration, or copy thereof when purchasing a Commercial Fishing Vessel Registration. If an application for transfer of documentation is pending, a copy of the pending application and a notarized bill of sale may be submitted.

(8) affirmation of liability insurance and that the operator is knowledgeable of United States Coast Guard (USCG) safety requirements for the vessels used in the operation in accordance with G.S. 113-168.6 when purchasing a Commercial Fishing Vessel Registration with a for-hire endorsement.

(d) In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (c) of this Rule, proof of residency for non-residents shall be documented by the licensee with certification of the state of residency. Proof of residency for residents of North Carolina shall be documented by the licensee as follows:

(1) Standard or Retired Standard Commercial Fishing Licenses: A notarized certification from the applicant that the applicant is a resident of the State of North Carolina as defined by G.S. 113-130(4) and:

(A) a notarized certification from the applicant that a North Carolina State Income Tax Return was filed for the previous calendar or tax year as a North Carolina resident;

(B) a notarized certification that the applicant was not required to file a North Carolina State Income Tax Return for the previous calendar or tax year; or

(C) military identification or military dependent identification, and permanent change of station orders or assignment orders substantiating the military individual's active duty assignment at a military facility in North Carolina.

(2) All other types of licenses:

(A) North Carolina voter registration card;

(B) current North Carolina Driver's License;

(D) current North Carolina Identification Card issued by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles; or

(E) military identification or military dependent identification, and permanent change of station orders or assignment orders substantiating the military individual's active duty assignment at a military facility in North Carolina.

(e) In addition to the requirements in Paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Rule, the following shall be required:

(1) Blanket For-Hire Captain's CRFL: a valid certification from the USCG that allows carrying six or fewer passengers or a certification from the USCG that allows carrying more than six passengers.

(2) Blanket For-Hire Vessel CRFL or Non-Blanket For-Hire Vessel License:

(A) valid documentation papers or current motor boat registration, or copies thereof for the vessel engaged as for-hire; or

(B) a copy of the pending application and a notarized bill of sale if an application for transfer of documentation is pending.

(3) Fish Dealer License:

(A) the physical address of the established location where business is conducted and, if different, the address where records are kept; and

(B) a valid Permit and Certificate of Compliance from the Division of Marine Fisheries Shellfish Sanitation and Recreational Water Quality Section, if purchasing a Fish Dealer License with clam or oyster categories or a consolidated license.

(4) Land or Sell License:

(A) valid documentation papers or current motor boat registration, or copy thereof; or

(B) a copy of the pending application and a notarized bill of sale if an application for transfer of documentation is pending.

The fees for a Land or Sell License shall be based on the vessel's homeport as it appears on the USCG documentation papers or the state in which the vessel is registered, in accordance with G.S. 113-169.5.

(5) Ocean Fishing Pier License:

(A) the information required in G.S. 113-169.4; and

(B) linear length of the pier. A Marine Fisheries inspector's signature is required to verify the linear length of the pier before the license can be issued.

(6) Recreational Fishing Tournament License to Sell Fish: name and date or dates of the tournament.

(7) Spotter Plane License:

(A) the information required in G.S. 113-171.1;

(B) the current aircraft registration; and

(f) For a License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean, in addition to the requirements in Paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Rule, the following shall be applicable:

(1) for the purpose of this Paragraph, "license year" means the period beginning July 1 of a year through June 30 of the following year.

(2) to qualify for a License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean, the applicant shall:

(A) have landed in North Carolina at least 1,000 pounds of flounder from a single vessel each year from the Atlantic Ocean during any two of the 1992-93, 1993-94, 1994-95 license years for which the person had a vessel that was licensed to land in North Carolina;

(B) have been licensed under G.S. 113-152 or 113-153 during any two of the 1992-93, 1993-94, or 1994-95 license years; and

(3) it shall be unlawful for a person to hold more Licenses to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean than the number of vessels that the person owns that individually met the eligibility requirements of Parts (f)(2)(A) and (f)(2)(B) of this Rule.

(4) the License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean is only valid when used on the vessel specified at the time of license issuance.

(5) at the time of issuance, the applicant for the License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean shall specify the name of the vessel master for each License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean issued.

(6) the holder of the License to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean shall notify the Morehead City Office of the Division of Marine Fisheries within five days of change as to the vessel master identified on the license.

(7) Licenses to Land Flounder from the Atlantic Ocean are issued for the current license year.

(g) For a Recreational Fishing Tournament License to Sell Fish, in addition to the requirements in Paragraphs (c) and (d) of this Rule, the following shall be applicable:

(1) it shall be unlawful for anyone other than the holder of the Recreational Fishing Tournament License to Sell Fish to sell fish taken during a recreational fishing tournament.

(2) fish to be sold under the Recreational Fishing Tournament License to Sell Fish shall be sold only to licensed fish dealers and shall comply with all applicable rules of the Marine Fisheries Commission or provisions of proclamations issued by the Fisheries Director as authorized by the Marine Fisheries Commission.

(3) it shall be unlawful for a licensed recreational fishing tournament organizer to fail to accurately and legibly complete a North Carolina Recreational Fishing Tournament Disposition of Proceeds from the Sale of Fish Form provided by the Division of Marine Fisheries and submit the form to the Division within 30 days after the last day of the tournament.

(h) It shall be unlawful for a license, endorsement, or Commercial Fishing Vessel Registration holder to fail to notify the Division of Marine Fisheries within 30 days of a change of name or address, in accordance with G.S. 113-169.2.

History Note: Authority G.S. 113-134; 113-168; 113-168.1-6; 113-169.2-5; 113-171.1; 113-174.3; 113-182; 143B-289.52;

Eff. January 1, 1991;

Amended Eff. July 1, 1997; March 1, 1994;

Temporary Amendment Eff. July 1, 1999;

Amended Eff. August 1, 2000;

Temporary Amendment Eff. April 1, 2001;

Amended Eff. May 1, 2015; July 1, 2008; December 1, 2006; August 1, 2004; August 1, 2002;

Readopted Eff. March 15, 2023.