Seafood Permitting, Frequently Asked Questions

In order to provide clarification on the requirements and scope of DEC seafood permitting, many frequently asked questions have been compiled and answered below. If you do not find an answer to your question here or have further questions, please email the seafood permitting team at: seafoodprocessing@alaska.gov.

Where can I find a definitions list for seafood permitting?

18 AAC 34 Seafood Processing and Inspection. Definitions are provided in 18 AAC 34.990 of the regulation.

Do I need a DEC seafood processors permit to custom process Sport caught fish?

You do not need a DEC seafood processors permit to custom process Sport caught fish, as long as your activities are limited to heading/butchering, filleting, vacuum packaging, and freezing. All packaging must contain a label bearing the statement "sport caught, not for resale". Vacuum packages must have the following: date of pack and holding statement ("keep frozen" or "refrigerate below 38F"). Sport caught fish cannot be comingled or distributed into commerce for human consumption.
You do need a DEC seafood processors permit to custom process Sport caught fish if you wish to perform higher risk processes such as smoking, pickling, or canning.

What activities require a DEC seafood processors permit under 18 AAC 34 Seafood Processing and Inspection?

Per 18 AAC 34.005 (b)(1-6) the following activities require a seafood processors permit for seafood products that are sold and/or intended for human consumption: process, store, clean, package, distribute whole seafood products, smoke or thermally process sport caught seafood, donate thermally-processed or smoked seafood products to an institution or nonprofit program, and manufacture ice for use with seafood products. The following definitions are provided for clarification:

Packaging (18 AAC 34.990(44)): means to wrap, seal, enclose, or place a seafood product into a container (this includes reusable coolers and totes).
Processing (18 AAC 34.990(49)): means an activity that changes the physical condition of a seafood product, including butchering, thermal processing, cooking, dehydrating, freezing, pickling, salting, shucking, or smoking.
Processor (18 AAC 34.990(51)): means the owner, operator, or agent in charge of a seafood processing facility who is responsible for processing seafood intended for human consumption.

I am not on a road system and would like to sell my fish to a DEC permitted processor, do I need a DEC seafood processors permit to put my fish on a plane and fly them to a DEC permitted seafood processor?

You do not need a seafood processors permit to put unprocessed fish on a plane and fly them to a DEC permitted processor. However, you may be required to write your own fish ticket when the fish is removed from your vessel. If you are not able to write your own fish tickets, be sure to contact the DFG, DCF Seafood Coordinator at dfg.seafood-coord@alaska.gov to see what your options are.

How can I verify the DEC permit status of a seafood processor?

You can check permit status on the Active Permits Page. If you are unable to find the seafood processor, contact us to verify permitting.

Are DEC Seafood Processor Permits Transferrable?

No, per 18 AAC 34.035 (e)(3), DEC seafood processor permits are not transferrable. A new application with supplemental documentation is required for the following:

Sale of a vessel or facility to a 100% new owner (this includes sales where the original staff is retained under the new owner)
Changing a facility physical location

I have a DEC Direct Market permit but want to start buying commercially caught fish to process and sell, what do I need to do?

As DEC Direct Market permits are limited to processing your own catch, you will need to update your permit type to one of the Processor level permits (listed in the table below). Changing the permit type will result in a new permit number. You should also reach out to the Seafood Coordinator at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADFG) to ensure you have the correct ADFG license for your operation. ADFG email: dfg.seafood-coord@alaska.gov

My permit has two numbers (Permit ID number and an AK number)? Which one do I use?

The Permit ID number is automatically assigned by the new database. The AK number is the original permit number that was transferred into the new database back in 2017. If you have both numbers, you are allowed to use either on your documentation and labels. However, we ask that you consistently use only one of the numbers and notify us which one you wish to use.

My permit has a Permit ID number and no number listed in the AK number field but I want to continue using my old AK number?

If you only have a Permit ID number on your permit, this means that you either had an inactive permit in 2017 or your permit type has changed since your permit was transferred into the new database. In either case, you will need to use the Permit ID number, as our database cannot cross referencing the old AK number across different permit types.

I want to work with seafood within the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA). Do I need a DEC permit or a MOA food establishment permit?

Wholesale operations located in the MOA are permitted by DEC. Email: seafoodprocessing@alaska.gov for more information
Retail operations (restaurant, market, or other operation that sells to the end consumer) are permitted by the MOA Environmental Health Services program. They can be contacted by phone at 907-343-4200.

Who is my area Environmental Health Officer (EHO)?

Your area EHO is your contact for operating questions and to schedule inspections. You can look up your area EHO on our staff contacts page

What are the different types of seafood permits?

Below is a table of seafood permit types as per 18 AAC 34.900. If you are working with molluscan shellfish (oysters, clams, muscles, geoducks, etc.), you will need a shellfish processors permit. You can find more information on the shellfish webpage.

Type	Price	Description
Direct Market - Vessel (DM-V)	$325	Limited to Heading/Butchering, Freezing, and Packaging own catch on vessel. Overall vessel length is limited to less than 65 feet (w/ the exception of DM tuna processors)
Direct Market - Land Based (DM-L)	$200	Limited to Heading/Butchering, Freezing, and Packaging own catch at a land-based facility.
Ice Manufacturer - Seafood (IM-S)	$325	Limited to manufacturing ice intended to be used for seafood storage and/or processing.
Land-Based Processor (PL-1)	$795	A land-based facility that engages in non-thermal processing beyond what is allowed by the DM-L permit and/or processes the catch of others. Processing is limited to less than 5000 lbs of seafood per day during a peak operating week.
Land-Based Processor (PL-2)	$2094	Same as the PL-1 permit, but for operators who will process 5000 lbs or more of seafood per day during a peak operating week.
Processing Vessel (PV-1)	$795	A vessel that engages in non-thermal processing beyond what is allowed by the DM-V permit and/or processes the catch of other fishermen. Processing is limited to less than 5000 lbs of seafood per day during a peak operating week.
Processing Vessel (PV-2)	$2094	Same as the PV-1 permit, but for operators who will process 5000 lbs or more of seafood per day during a peak operating week.
Thermal Processor (PT-1)	$1120	A processor that uses heat to render a seafood product free of microorganisms that are capable of reproducing in food under normal nonrefrigerated conditions of storage or distribution. Canning, jarring, pressure cooking, retort are examples of thermal processes. Processing is limited to less than 5000 lbs of seafood per day during a peak operating week.
Thermal Processor (PT-2)	$2094	Same as the PT-1 permit, but for operators who will process 5000 lbs or more of seafood per day during a peak operating week.

When is my permit active and when does it expire?

Permits are active on the date they are issued. This date is listed near the bottom left of the permit. All permits expire on December 31 of the year issued. Expired permits must be renewed and issued before resuming operations.

How do I renew my permit?

Prefilled renewal applications are emailed to active permit holders at the end of October. If you do not have an email address, your renewal application will be mailed to the business address on file. Review, update, and email your signed renewal form to seafoodprocessing@alaska.gov or mail to the address on your renewal application.

How do I renew my permit if it has been more than a year since I was last permitted?

Email seafoodprocessing@alaska.gov to request your prefilled renewal application. Additionally, if it has been 5 or more years since you were last permitted, you will need to submit a new application and supporting documentation.

How do I pay my permit fee?

New Applicants: Permit fees can be paid by credit card or check. Payment information is provided at the end of the online application form. If sending a check, please include the business or facility/vessel name so that we may match the payment to your application.
Renewals: Payments can be made using the online payment portal. Click on "Renewal Instructions for Seafood and Shellfish Permits". If choosing to pay your renewal fees by check, please include your signed renewal application form.

Is my business and/or proprietary information protected?

In the course of permitting, you will be required to submit details about your operation that may include proprietary information and trade secrets. This information will only be used to ensure compliance with regulations and will not be shared by DEC personnel. Protection of trade secrets is ensured by law by 18 AAC 34.025.