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. 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. All permits must be renewed annually from January.

Only renewals can be processed online. New applications need to be directed through the office by telephone, email or in person. For information about how the personal data you provide in your permit application forms are used, please read our NIFCA Privacy Notice.

You can apply for the following permits in the NIFCA district:

Permit	Fishery	Cost	Additional Information
Commercial Shellfish	Potting for lobster & crab	£180 PA	NA
Trawl	Trawling for nephrops	£50 PA	Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ: A valid annual exemption is required to fish in the Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ. Please contact the office by telephone or email to apply

Commercial Shellfish

£180 per annum (Jan-Dec). 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.

Commercial Trawl

£50 per annum (Jan-Dec). 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. MCZ EXEMPTION: Trawling in the Coquet to St Mary’s MCZ remains under the same management agreed in 2025. You must have a valid 2026 Exemption to fish in this area. Please contact the office to arrange one.

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