Experimental Fishing Permit Program

The regulatory authority for establishing a state EFP Program is found in California Fish and Game Code (FGC) §1022. The California Fish and Game Commission (Commission) and California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) jointly implement the EFP Program under the authority of the California Fisheries Innovation Act of 2018, through California Code of Regulations Title 14 (CCR T-14), §§ 91 and 704. 

Anyone seeking to conduct commercial or recreational marine fishing activities that are otherwise prohibited by state fishing laws or regulations must first obtain an EFP. The Commission may authorize CDFW to issue EFPs to qualified applicants for one or a combination of the following purposes:

• Research
• Education
• Limited testing
• Data collection
• Compensation fishing
• Conservation engineering
• Exploratory fishing

Learn how to apply for an EFP

The full text of the regulations that establishes the procedures for application submittal, CDFW review, public review and comment, Commission approval, and CDFW issuance and administration of the EFP can be found in CCR T-14, § 91. The corresponding fee schedule and forms are established in CCR T-14, § 704, with further details available in the "Fees" section, below.

The EFP Program was established through a two-phase rulemaking. Further details regarding the rulemaking process can be found on the Commission's Regulations web page.

How to Apply for an EFP

Below are keys steps of the application process.

1. Begin a pre-application consultation by contacting the EFP Coordinator
   This is encouraged for all applications; it is required if you request a Tier 2 or Tier 4 permit, or if you intend to request a permit fee reduction. Please provide the following to the EFP Coordinator:
   - Project description
   - Proposed list of exemptions from current fishing laws and regulations
   - List of questions or concerns
   - Any other information that will help CDFW staff understand the proposed activity
   
   CDFW staff will review your proposed project and schedule a consultation to discuss any questions and gather additional information, as needed.
2. Complete and submit a written application
   We encourage you to use the Sample EFP Application Packet (Word). You can submit your application electronically or mail to:
   CDFW Marine Region
   Attn. EFP Coordinator
   20 Lower Ragsdale Dr., Suite 100
   Monterey, CA 93940
3. Pay the non-refundable application fee
   More information is available in the Fees section, and the Fees FAQ section.

Application Review and Approval Timeframe

To be considered for approval by the Commission, your application must be accepted and reviewed by CDFW. The review process starts after CDFW receives a written application, and the application fee has been paid. An overview of the application review process (PDF) is provided below:

• Once your application and fee are received, CDFW will determine if the application is complete within 30 days.
• If the application is incomplete, CDFW will notify you in writing. You may submit an amended application within 10 working days of the notification under the original application fee.
• If an application is complete, CDFW will accept your application for technical review, notify you, and transmit your application to the Commission. CDFW will transmit its recommendation, including any permit special conditions, to the Commission within 60 days.
• The Commission will provide public notice of the accepted EFP application and CDFW's recommendation.
• The Commission will approve or deny your EFP application at its next available meeting, and at least 30 days after public notice is given.

Note: If CDFW reviews takes longer than the 30 or 60 days mentioned above, CDFW will provide you with a written notice.

EFP fees were originally set in regulation (CCR T-14, §704), and are adjusted annually. Current fees are available on CDFW's License and Revenue Branch web page and may be obtained by contacting the EFP Coordinator. All fees are non-refundable.

Payment Options

• Online License Sales and Services: Online payments may only be made with a credit or debit card displaying a Visa or Mastercard logo and will include a 5 percent non-refundable license agent handling fee. Online payments generally take 1-2 business days to clear.
• Secure Document Upload*: Request a “Secure Document Upload Link” from LRBCOMM@wildlife.ca.gov and note what the payment is for. You will receive a response with a link to securely upload the completed Credit Card Authorization Form. DO NOT SEND YOUR PAYMENT INFORMATION DIRECTLY VIA EMAIL. This process will generally take 1-2 business days to clear.
• By Mail*: Mail a check or money order payable to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to:

California Department of Fish and Wildlife
Attn: License and Revenue Branch
P.O. Box 944209
Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.

DO NOT SEND CASH. If you are paying by debit/credit card, fill out the Credit Card Authorization Form and mail it to the address above. Include a note explaining what the payment is for. Allow 15 business days for mailed payments to be processed.

• In Person: Only checks, money orders, and debit/credit cards displaying Visa or Mastercard logos are accepted at CDFW License Sales Offices. Find your local CDFW office
• Note that many CDFW offices no longer provide license sales services.

*If paying by mail or Secured Document Upload, provide your Contact Information (name, affiliation, mailing address, email, and telephone number) and GO ID or Commercial Fishing License Number.

If you do not have a GO ID or Commercial Fishing License Number, provide a copy of DMV ID, passport, military ID, or other acceptable form of identification as listed in CCR T-14, §700.4.

Permit Fee Reduction Option

Reduced fees are available through a permit fee reduction option. Under this option, the Commission may, on a project-by-project basis, authorize CDFW to reduce both the initial permit issuance fee and annual tier-specific permit fee by 50 percent. For more information, see the FAQs on this topic.

To be considered for the permit fee reduction option, applicants must complete the following steps.

1. Identify at least one conservation or management priority addressed by your proposal
   Examples include:
   - Innovative fishing gear and techniques that reduce bycatch or habitat impacts
   - Data collection to fill essential fishery information gaps or monitoring needs
   - New data or methods to quantify catch and effort and/or standardize data reporting for recreational or commercial fisheries.
2. Request and complete a pre-application consultation
   See the Application section above for details.
3. Submit your application and request the permit fee reduction option

All EFP holders are required to submit annual and final reports to CDFW. The reports document the EFP project performance, results, and recommendations. General reporting requirements are outlined below:

• Each annual report must contain:
  • A summary of findings and activities completed during the term of the permit
  • Any additional information required as part of the permit special conditions
• The final report must contain:
  • A summary of the EFP project and its outcomes
  • A discussion of the results and findings, including any conclusion on the effectiveness of the authorized activities in achieving the goals of the EFP project and  recommendations for management
  • Any additional information required as part of the permit special conditions
  • A list of all key participants on the EFP
  • Any scientific reports or documents created as a result of the authorized activities

Unless otherwise specified in the permit special conditions, all reports must be electronically submitted to EFP@wildlife.ca.gov.

It is imperative that reports are submitted on time – late or incomplete reports may affect permit renewal and eligibility to participate in future EFP projects. See the Form and Documents section for templates that can be used to complete the annual and final reports.

• Marine Fisheries: Experimental Fishing Permit Terms and Conditions (DFW 1103, NEW 04/06/21) (PDF)
  Template version of permit conditions, including the standard terms that apply to all EFPs:
  • The permit shall be operated only on the vessels named on this form, if applicable. Either the EFP holder or the authorized agent must be aboard the vessel when activities are being conducted under this permit, and both are responsible and accountable for meeting the requirements and limits of this permit.
  • Pursuant to FGC §7857(d), the EFP holder or authorized agent shall have a valid copy of the CDFW-issued EFP attached to a signed copy of this form in possession when activities are being conducted under this permit.
  • All persons conducting activities under an EFP must comply with all appropriate state and federal fishing laws and regulations, including but not limited to those relating to protected species, minimum size limits, and seasons or areas closed to fishing that are not otherwise exempted by the permit (see special conditions).
  • The EFP holder and authorized agent shall cooperate with CDFW by allowing personnel designated by CDFW to board the vessel on any fishing trip (if applicable) or enter a place of business operated by the EFP holder or authorized agent under this permit, to retrieve, observe, or inspect any logbook, records, data, equipment, procedures, or catch throughout the duration of the permit.
  • The EFP holder or authorized agent shall provide CDFW staff with a 24-hour notice prior to every fishing trip. The contact information for CDFW staff will be provided for this purpose at the time of permit issuance.
• Sample Experimental Fishing Permit Application Packet (Word)
  Optional template to support submission of a complete application
• Sample Experimental Fishing Permit Annual Report (Word)
  Optional template to support submission of a completed annual report, per CCR T-14 §91(l)(1). Specific permit conditions may require inclusion of additional information or submission in a different format.
• Sample Experimental Fishing Permit Final Report (Word)
  Optional template to support submission of a complete final report, per CCR T-14 §91(l)(2). Specific permit conditions may require inclusion of additional information or submission in a different format.

As of March 1, 2025, CDFW has issued five EFPs. Additional details regarding each issued EFP are available below.

Deep-Set and Night-Set Buoy Gear

• Target Species/Fishery: Swordfish and other highly migratory species
• Region Affected: State waters within Southern California, outside of state-designated marine protected areas, and deeper than 1,200 ft (standard deep-set buoy gear configuration), specifically:
  • Channel Islands. 1-3 nautical miles offshore of the Channel Islands except for around San Clemente Island, where fishing may occur between the shoreline and 3 nautical miles as long as depths are greater than 1,200 ft for deep-set buoy gear and 500 ft for night-set buoy gear.
  • Mugu Canyon. East of 119º 09' W. longitude and west of 119º 02' W. longitude
  • Point Dume. East of 118° 47.260' W. longitude and west of 118° 42' W. longitude
  • Palos Verdes. North of 33° 44.800' N. latitude and south of 33° 48' N. latitude or east of 118° 22.500' W. longitude and west of 118° 18' W. longitude
  • Newport to Dana Point. South of 33° 35.372' N. latitude and north of 33° 27.300' N. latitude
• Experimental Intent: Test the efficacy of standard and night deep-set buoy gear configurations, which are designed to selectively target swordfish and other highly migratory species while avoiding bycatch of protected species.
• Other Relevant Information: See the Commission website

Hoop Nets

• Target Species/Fishery: Dungeness crab
• Region Affected: Central California, south of the Sonoma/Mendocino county line (38° 46.125' N. latitude)
• Experimental Intent: Test the efficacy of using actively-tended hoop nets for commercial harvest of Dungeness crab
• Other Relevant Information: See the Commission website

National Marine Sanctuary Foundation

• Target Species/Fishery: Dungeness crab and rock crab
• Region Affected: Central and northern California, between the California/Oregon border (42° N. latitude) and Lopez Point (36° 00' N. latitude)
• Experimental Intent: Test the efficacy of several "pop-up" fishing systems as well as "weak rope", modified gear configurations, and virtual gear marking applications to inform future authorization for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery
• Other Relevant Information: See the Commission website

Sub Sea Sonics

• Target Species/Fishery: Dungeness crab and hagfish
• Region Affected: Central and northern California, between the California/Oregon border (42° N. latitude) and Point Conception (34° 27' N. latitude)
• Experimental Intent: Test the efficacy of timed- and acoustic-release "pop-up" fishing systems (Sub Sea Sonics release device and Longsoaker Fishing System Guardian line management system), modified gear configurations, and virtual gear marking applications to inform future authorization for the commercial Dungeness crab fishery
• Other Relevant Information: See the Commission website

Box and King Crab, Sustainable Seas Technology

• Target Species/Fishery: Box crab and king crab
• Region Affected: Southern California between Point Conception (34° 27' N. latitude) and the California/Mexico border (32° 32' N. latitude)
• Experimental Intent: Test the efficacy of "pop-up" fishing systems for commercial harvest of brown box crab and California king crab
• Other Relevant Information: See the Commission website

An EFP is a permit approved by the California Fish and Game Commission and issued by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to allow commercial or recreational marine fishing activities that would otherwise be prohibited under current state fishing laws. Specifically, these permits will be authorized for one or a combination of the following purposes: research, education, limited testing, data collection, compensation fishing, conservation engineering, and exploratory fishing. Other than specific exemptions referenced in the permit conditions, all other applicable laws and regulations remain in effect.

The terms “compensation fishing,” “conservation engineering,” and “exploratory fishing” are defined in FGC §1022(h).

Compensation fishing allows fish to be kept (for recreational or commercial purposes) and sold (commercial fishing license required) as part of the EFP. The location, time, type, and maximum amount (weight or number) of fish that may be caught and kept will be specified in the permit special conditions (for additional information, see "EFP Projects – What special conditions may be included in my EFP?").

Conservation engineering allows for development and testing of new fishing gear and techniques or testing of existing fishing gear or techniques in new ways.

Exploratory fishing allows for data collection or other research to test the sustainability and feasibility of future commercial or recreational fisheries (e.g., potential opening of a new fishery or an area currently closed to fishing). Tier 3 and 4 permits that allow exploratory fishing may include other authorized purposes, such as compensation fishing and/or conservation engineering.

There are three key differences between EFPs and SCPs:

• Provisions concerning commercial and consumptive activities. SCP regulations specify that wildlife shall only be taken and/or possessed for scientific or educational purposes. Commercial sale, trade, or barter of wildlife is prohibited under an SCP. By contrast, these activities may be authorized under an EFP.
• Application review and approval. EFPs are subject to review by CDFW and approval by the Commission while SCPs are reviewed and approved by CDFW.
• Permit duration and renewal. EFPs are valid for 365 days from the date of issuance and may be renewed annually up to three times (for a project span of four consecutive years). SCPs are valid for three years from the date of issuance for entity and individual permitholders or one year from the date of issuance for student permitholders. There is no limit on the number of times an SCP can be renewed.

If you are unsure of what type of permit you need to apply for, please contact the EFP Coordinator.

This depends on the management authority for the species or fishery. If you are unsure whether you need a state or federal EFP, please contact the EFP Coordinator.

An EFP is valid for 12 months and may be renewed annually up to three times. To renew, you must submit a written request to CDFW at least 60 days before the permit expiration date and pay the designated annual permit fee on or before the permit expiration date. 

Submit a complete written application packet and pay the application fee. There are no deadlines to apply for an EFP. More details are provided in the Application section. 

Sample EFP Application Packet

Both individuals and entities (e.g., corporation, firm, partnership, association, institution, or affiliation) may apply for an EFP. Entity applicants must designate an "entity administrator " who serves as a point of contact for the EFP.

Use the permit tier decision tree (PDF) to determine which of the four permit tiers apply to your EFP project.  The permit tier depends on the purpose of the EFP project and whether you are requesting project support from CDFW. 

A pre-application consultation is a free, risk-reducing first step in the application process. It provides helpful guidance to prospective applicants on the application process and preliminary feedback on EFP project proposals prior to application submittal.

Pre-application consultation is required if the applicant is requesting a Tier 2 or Tier 4 permit and/or permit fee reduction option; however, all prospective applicants are encouraged to set up a pre-application consultation prior to applying for an EFP.

To request a pre-application consultation meeting, contact the EFP Coordinator. We encourage you to provide as many details as possible regarding your proposed project.

The Commission's EFP web page includes names and affiliations for each EFP holder. We recommend contacting them directly to discuss joining their project. 

Applicants may seek scientific and/or technical support from CDFW under Tier 2 and Tier 4 EFPs. (For additional information on permit types, see "Applying for an EFP – How do I know which permit tier to apply for?")

The scope of CDFW support for an EFP project should be discussed during the pre-application consultation and must be mutually agreed upon by the applicant and CDFW before application submittal (for additional information, see "Applying for an EFP – What is a pre-application consultation?").

This process generally takes at least six months. CDFW has a 90-day (30-day application completeness check and 60-day technical review) target for reviewing EFP applications and transmitting its recommendation to the Commission. The public must have at least 30 days to review and comment on the EFP application and CDFW recommendation. An accepted application will then be considered at the next available Commission meeting.

If the Commission approves your EFP application, you will receive a letter from the Commission and CDFW will email a final copy of the permit conditions (form DFW 1103) for signature. Your permit will be issued once CDFW receives a signed and dated copy of the form DFW 1103 and payment of the applicable fees.

If the Commission denies your EFP application, you will receive a letter from the Commission within 60 days explaining the reason(s) for the denial.

CDFW also recommends attending the Commission meeting where your EFP application will be discussed. You can attend either virtually or in-person. Further details are available on the Commission's website.

Pre-application consultations with CDFW are free.

EFP fees are adjusted annually and the current year fees are available on CDFW's License and Revenue Branch web page and from the EFP Coordinator.

There are three main fees associated 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)

Fee reductions may be considered on a project-by-project basis (for additional information, see "EFP Fees FAQs - What is the permit fee reduction option?").

The permit fee reduction option is intended to incentivize and advance EFP projects CDFW determines have high conservation or management interest. If approved by the Commission, both the initial permit issuance fee and the annual permit fee will be reduced by 50 percent. If you are interested in requesting a permit fee reduction, you much complete a pre-application consultation with CDFW prior to submitting your application (see the "Application" section for further details). 

In addition to the EFP holder, any person conducting authorized activities independent of the EFP holder must be named on the permit as an authorized agent. The authorized agent may serve in place of the EFP holder for all activities requiring the presence or action of the EFP holder. In addition, all vessels operating under the EFP must be identified on the permit.

This depends on your specific project. You should contact the EFP Coordinator to request a pre-application consultation.

In cases where federally managed species are targeted, or fishing occurs in federal waters, a federal EFP from NOAA Fisheries may be required.

Unlike the permit standard terms that apply to all EFPs (see the Forms and Documents section above), special conditions are specific to an EFP project and may be added to the permit for research purposes and to ensure the conservation of marine resources and the environment. Common examples of special conditions include:

• The amount and size of each species that can be caught, kept, or sold, including trip, annual, or other harvest limitations
• Where and when EFP activities may be conducted
• The type, size, and amount of gear that may be used by each person or vessel operating under the EFP
• The number of vessels and agents that can conduct fishing activities under the EFP
• Marking requirements for gear and/or vessels when participating in the EFP project
• Monitoring requirements, such as required use of vessel location monitoring systems
• Data reporting requirements including the method, content, format, and timeframe for submitting data to CDFW

Yes, the permittee or authorized agent must have a valid copy of the EFP attached to a signed copy of form DFW 1103 in possession when activities are conducted under the permit.

Yes, permittees may request permit amendments at any time during the term of the EFP by contacting the EFP Coordinator, explaining the reason for the amendment and paying the applicable non-refundable amendment fee.

The type of amendments that may be requested are:

• Administrative updates (no fee). Changes to contacts, affiliation, or vessel information.
• Minor amendments. Changes to the EFP that are subject to the limitations described in CCR T-14, §91(k)(1)(A) (e.g. changes to authorized agents or vessels or modified reporting requirements).
• Major amendments. Changes to the EFP that exceed the allowances placed on the permit defined in CCR T-14, §91(k)(1)(A) (e.g. increased number of authorized agents or vessels, expanded geographic scope, or increased amount of authorized gear).

Administrative updates and minor amendments are subject to review and approval by CDFW while major amendments are subject to public review and Commission action.

Please visit the Fish and Game Commission website. If you would like to receive EFP notifications from the Commission, please contact fgc@fgc.ca.gov.