Apply for a Permit

Thank you for your interest in getting a commercial NIFCA permit. There are two commercial fishing activities which require a permit from NIFCA: Commercial shellfish (potting for lobster and crab) and trawling (for nephrops). You can follow the links below to apply and pay for your required permit(s) online. Alternatively, you can download the appropriate form(s) and contact the office to take payment by card or cheque.

For information about how the personal data you provide in your permit application forms are used, please read our NIFCA Privacy Notice

Commercial Shellfish

£180 per annum. Potting for lobster and crab. Vessels must be below 12m in overall length to get a permit to fish inside the NIFCA district and the permit holder must have a valid MMO fishing licence. Please note: Only renewals can be processed online.

Commercial Trawl

£50 per annum. To trawl within the 0-3nm, vessels must be below 12m in overall length. To trawl within the 3-6nm, vessels must be below 18.3m in overall length. The exemption to fish within Coquet to St Mary’s Marine Conservation Zone is under consultation and there is no automatic access to this area for 2025. Please contact the office for more information. Please note: Only renewals can be processed online.

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