Baitfish Permits

A man casts a net from the bow of a small boat
Before heading out to sea for a day of fishing, this boat is casting a net for bait fish. Photo: Scott Atwell/NOAA

Baitfish permits allow the permit holder to catch certain species of baitfish within the sanctuary preservation areas (SPAs) where fishing is otherwise not allowed.

A valid baitfish permit allows the following activities to occur within all 18 SPAs:

  • Throwing cast nets for the purpose of catching ballyhoo, balao, halfbeaks, and/or herring
  • Using modified lampara nets for the purpose of catching ballyhoo, balao, halfbeaks, and/or herring
  • Harvesting ballyhoo, balao, halfbeaks, and/or herring using cast nets and/or modified lampara nets
  • Discharging chumming materials or bait for the purpose of catching ballyhoo, balao, halfbeaks, and/or herring
Allowable gear type and size by SPA location
Sanctuary Preservation Area Gear Type and Size Allowed
  • Newfound Harbor

Cast nets which are no greater than 14 feet stretched length and/or modified lampara nets which are no greater than 500 square feet of mesh area, no greater than 2 inch stretched mesh, and are not constructed wholly or partially of monofilament or multi-strand monofilament material.
  • Sand Key
  • Rock Key
  • Eastern Dry Rocks
  • Hen and Chickens
  • Cheeca Rocks

Cast nets which are no greater than 14 feet stretched length, and/or modified lampara nets with no net size restriction, but that do not have greater than 2 inch stretched mesh, and are not constructed wholly or partially of monofilament or multi-strand monofilament material.
  • Looe Key
  • Sombrero Key
  • Coffins Patch
  • Alligator Reef
  • Davis Reef
  • Conch Reef
  • Molasses Reef
  • French Reef
  • Grecian Rocks
  • Dry Rocks
  • The Elbow
  • Carysfort Reef

Cast nets and/or modified lampara nets.

Additional requirements of baitfish permits include:

  • All bycatch shall be immediately returned to the water alive.
  • Contact with or disturbance to the seabed is prohibited.
  • Catch of baitfish by hook and line is prohibited.

Baitfish permits are issued free of charge and last for one calendar year. Baitfish permits are issued to an individual and may be used on more than one vessel, but may not be used by more than one person. All other sanctuary regulations and applicable fisheries regulations still apply and must be followed.

No bait fishing activities are allowed within the Western Sambo Ecological Reserve, Tortugas Ecological Reserve, or the four special-use research only areas (Eastern Sambo, Looe Key (patch reef), Tennessee Reef, and Conch Reef).

All baitfish permit holders are required to maintain a catch log and submit this log within 30 days of the expiration date of the permit.

Apply for a Baitfish Permit

To request a baitfish permit, submit your name, mailing address, and telephone number to Dr. Harrison Albert, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary resource protection and permit coordinator. Boat name(s) and/or documentation number(s) should also be submitted, when known.