Important Reminders Regarding License Renewal for the 2026 License Year

Below are important reminders about license renewal for 2026:

License Renewal Period

• 2026 harvester license renewal period opens November 1, 2025 for online applications and November 15, 2025 for paper applications

Limited Entry Licenses (Lobster, Scallop, Sea Urchin, Menhaden, Elver & Sea Cucumber)

• You must hold a current 2025 license to renew for 2026.
  
• For lobster, scallop drag and urchin drag licenses, you must be the boat owner.

Non-Limited Entry Licenses (Commercial Fishing, Pelagic, Noncommercial Lobster/Scallop, Eel, Mussel, Quahog, Federal & Nonfederal Halibut, etc.)

• If purchasing a 2026 license between November-December 2025, be sure to select "Next Year" to avoid being issued a 2025 license.
  
• For Federal Halibut licenses, your federal permit must be valid at the time you purchase your license to obtain federal tags.

Landings Reporting

• Your landings reports must be current to renew any license requiring reporting. Submit reports through the VESL app or LEEDS or contact [email protected] / 207-633-9414 for assistance.

Federal Permits (Lobster and Halibut)

• DMR will verify vessel federal permits through the NOAA database.
  
• If your federal lobster permit is not valid at renewal, you'll receive State (NON) tags.
  
• If you are renewing your federal permit, you must provide proof of application and call DMR Licensing within 24 hours to update your tag status. Failure to do so will require payment for a second set of tags.
  
• NOTE: If the federal government shutdown is still in effect at the time you renew or obtain your federal permit, or if you are relinquishing your federal permit, you must notify DMR Licensing immediately after placing your tag order. This ensures that your tags are issued with the correct designation (EEZ or NON).
  
• After purchasing your license, you must verify that your permit status reflects the correct designation - EEZ (Federal) or NON (State). It is the license holder's responsibility to ensure the accuracy of this information at the time the license is obtained. Failure to confirm the correct designation will result in the requirement to purchase and pay for reissued tags bearing the appropriate permit designation.

Online Renewals via LEEDS

• If renewing online, you must print your own license.
  
• If you need a printed copy mailed, DMR can print and send it upon request.

Lobster Licenses

• Commercial Lobster Trap Tag Validity & Purchase Limits

  • 2025 lobster tags remain valid through May 31, 2026.
    
  • If you have not purchased your full 2025 tag allocation by June 1, 2026, you may only buy up to 100 additional tags beyond what you purchased before that date.
    

• Trap Tag Ordering Timeline and Permit information

  • Remember, due to the delivery method, tags CANNOT be delivered to a PO Box. You must provide a physical address to ensure that your tags are delivered.
    
  • Tags take 4-6 weeks to arrive. Plan ahead to receive your 2026 tags before June 1, 2026. If, however, you have NOT received your tags within the 4-week window, please notify us so that we can research your tag order so that they will be delivered on time.
    
  • If you need to fish with 2026 tags before June 1, you must submit an affidavit requesting early tag use.
    
  • If you supply us with an email address, you will be sent a tracking number once your tags are processed and ready for shipment.
    
  • If you are ordering tags with multiple boats, please make sure your INIT tags are on your primary vessel - not listed as a MB under the Status area on your license - see screen shot below. (primary tags that may have a federal permit listed)
    

• Second Zone Tags

  • If you intend to fish a secondary zone, you must select it when renewing your lobster license. Secondary zones cannot be added later.
    
  • Note: Student license holders are not eligible for second zone tags.
    

• Lobster Apprentice and Student Licenses

  • Tag orders take 4-6 weeks.
    
  • Your sponsor must be licensed before you log apprentice time. Notify DMR once your sponsor is licensed.
    
  • Applicants for student licenses must be enrolled as students. Applicants 18 or older must provide proof of enrollment.

Elver Exporter/Dealer Licenses

• Must be obtained by February 1, 2026, if you plan to operate as an elver dealer.
  Provide facility or vehicle information; facilities must have lease agreements (if not owned) and pass inspection if new.
  
• You may list an address that you do not intend to use when first applying. Please let us know if this will NOT be the location you intend to use during Elver season.

Other License Renewal Dates

• Commercial Shellfish, Marine Worm Digging, Green Crab, and Aquaculture: Renewals begin April 1, 2026, for online and April 15, 2026, for paper (effective May 1, 2026).
  
• All other dealer licenses: Available for renewal March 2026.

To contact DMR's Licensing Division, email [email protected], or phone 207-624-6550, Option 2.

If you intend to come to DMR's Augusta office at 32 Blossom Lane in Augusta, the lobby is open, Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am to 4:30 PM.

NOTE: due to construction on the Department of Marine Resources' campus at 32 Blossom Lane in Augusta, parking is limited. A map of available parking is available here.

Thank you and have a safe and successful fishing year.
DMR Licensing Division - Department of Marine Resources