EFP, pre-application, application, fee reduction, permit, permittee, consultation
Pre-application consultations with CDFW are free. To request a pre-application consultation meeting, contact the EFP Coordinator.
Experimental Fishing Permit (EFP) Fees
EFP fees were originally set by regulation in Section 704, Title 14, CCR. These initial fees will be adjusted annually and the current year fees are available on CDFW's License and Revenue Branch webpage and may be obtained by contacting the EFP Coordinator.
There are three main associated costs with an EFP:
- Application fee
- Initial permit issuance fee
- Annual permit fee, which will depend on the permit tier (i.e., Tier 1, 2, 3, or 4) approved for the EFP project
FEE REDUCTIONS
In the spirit of collaboration, the permit fee reduction option allows CDFW to absorb 50 percent of the cost of the annual permit fee for EFP projects developed in consultation with CDFW and deemed by CDFW to be of high conservation or management interest. Pursuant to the EFP regulations, the California Fish and Game Commission may grant the permit fee reduction option as recommended by CDFW on a project-by-project basis. The permit fee reduction option is provided to further incentivize and advance research under the EFP Program. The permit fee reduction option will also reduce the initial permit issuance fee by 50 percent. Fee reductions may be considered on a project-by-project basis. Contact the EFP Coordinator to find out if your project qualifies for the fee reduction option.