Washington
The information on this page is intended for educational purposes only and is subject to change. Fishermen should contact the agencies directly to determine what is required for their particular situation.
Washington State and Local Regulations, Permits and More for Seafood Alternative Markets
Fishermen considering selling their catch directly from their boat, a roadside stand/market, or other alternative market, will need to follow regulations and guidelines and obtain specific licenses, registrations, permits, and certificates from several state and local agencies in addition to the licenses and permits required to fish commercially. Here we provide selected general information, by agency, that highlights some of these requirements and associated fees (as of Dec 2023).
For a PDF of this information, click here.
Fishermen should contact the agencies below to determine current requirements and fees and to ensure they are in compliance. When doing so, fishermen will need to be able to describe the seafood products they will be selling—species, product form (e.g., whole, filet, smoked)—and the type of alternative market(s) they will use.
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW)
Contact: Commercial Support Personnel
Telephone: (360) 902-2464
Email: commercialsales@dfw.wa.gov
Information Sources:
The following provides selected information about two types of WDFW commercial fish business licenses that may be appropriate for fishermen selling their catch through seafood alternative markets. Fishermen should check the information sources above and contact WDFW directly for up-to-date information and to determine the requirements that apply to their specific situation.
- Fish Dealer License
Description: The minimum license required to broker and/or process fish and shellfish; replaces the Wholesale Fish Dealer License.
Annual Fee: $400 for Washington residents, $785 for non-residents, plus a $105 application fee (2023, subject to change)
Select Details:
- Required for individuals engaged in the wholesale buying, selling, or brokering of raw or frozen fish/shellfish (see below).
- Brokering is defined as facilitating the sale or purchase of raw or frozen fish/shellfish for a fee or commission, without assuming the title to the fish/shellfish.
- Processing is defined as taking possession of raw or frozen fish/shellfish to prepare, repackage, process or preserve, which includes, but is not limited to canning or processing for payment whether the fish or shellfish is commercially harvested or taken for personal use, and the commercial manufacture or preparation of fertilizer, oil, meat, caviar, fish bait, or any other by-products from fish or shellfish.
- Wholesale Fish Buyer Endorsement
Description: Must be added to the Fish Dealer License (see above) to take first possession or ownership of fish/shellfish from commercial harvesters landing their fish/shellfish in Washington state, first possession or ownership of fresh or frozen fish/shellfish from interstate or foreign commerce, or to engage in wholesale buying or selling of fish/shellfish harvested by tribal harvesters.
Annual Fee: $245 for Washington residents, $630 for non-residents, plus a $105 application fee (2023, subject to change)
Select Details:
- Wholesale fish buyers are also responsible for documenting the commercial harvest and sales according to the rules of WDFW.
- Limited Fish Seller Endorsement
Description: Allows commercial harvesters and designated alternate operators to sell their catch directly to market.
Annual Fee: $70 for Washington residents, $455 for non-residents, plus a $105 application fee (2023, subject to change)
Select Details:
- The holder of this endorsement is also exempt from the permitting requirements of chapter 246-215 Washington Administrative Code (Foodservice) provided the seller only sells fresh fish — whole or cleaned and dressed.
- Bond Requirements
The Wholesale Fish Buyer Endorsement requires a cash deposit, performance bond, or savings account assignment in the amount of $2,000 (for up to 2 buyers).
For each additional buyer engaged by the wholesale business, the cash deposit, bond, or savings account assignment must be increased by an additional $1,000.
Limited fish sellers are required to submit a cash deposit, performance bond, or savings account assignment in the amount of $1,000 (2023, subject to change).
Washington State Department of Agriculture (WSDA)
The WSDA oversees the safe and legal handling and distribution of food products in Washington State. The following provides information about two WSDA programs that may pertain to fishermen selling their catch through seafood alternative markets. Fishermen should check the information sources for each program and contact WSDA directly for up-to-date information and to determine the requirements that apply to their specific situation.
Contact: WSDA Customer Service
Telephone: (360) 902-2035
Email: wtsmeasures@agr.wa.gov
Information Sources:
- Weighing Scale Certification
Description: Scales used to sell seafood must be approved and registered. Most seafood must be sold by weight. Whole shellfish may be sold by count and size designations may be provided.
Annual Fee: Dependent on scale capacity
e.g., $16 for 0–400 pounds (2023, subject to change)Select Details:
- Must be a legal for trade scale and must have a National Type Evaluation Program (NTEP) Certificate of Conformance.
- Scales must be registered annually with the WA Department of Revenue, Business Licensing Service.
- A copy of the business license with weights and measures endorsement must be on site with the scale.
- Product that is weighed and packaged without the customer present must be labeled with the product name, net weight, price per unit and total price as specified in NIST Handbook 130, Uniform Packaging and Labeling Regulation. Additional information also may be needed on the label per the Fair Packaging and Labeling Act.
Contact: WSDA Customer Service
Telephone: (360) 902-1876
Email: foodsafety@agr.wa.gov
Information Sources: County Food Safety Contacts
- Food Processor License
Description: Required for the processing* of seafood.
Annual Fee: $200.00 (2023, subject to change), unless you are able to claim an exemption. Contact WSDA Customer Service for more information about exemptions.
Information Sources:
Select Details:
- Requires a daily sanitation monitoring plan and a seafood HACCP plan for each type of fishery product for which a food safety hazard has been identified (see information sources above for specific requirements).
- Not required for licensed retail food service establishments with 100% of sales occurring on site.
- This license is non-transferable. If you sell your business, the new owners must apply for a new license. If you move to a new location, you must apply for a new license for the new facility location.
*FDA defines processing as handling, storing, preparing, heading, eviscerating, shucking, freezing, changing into different market forms, manufacturing, preserving, packing, labeling, dockside unloading, or holding fish and fishery products. Excludes practices such as heading, eviscerating, or freezing solely to prepare a fish for holding on board a commercial fishing vessel.
- Food Storage Warehouse License
Description: Required to store seafood away from the boat, prior to distribution to others (e.g., wholesalers, retail markets, restaurants, direct to consumer.
Annual Fee: Varies; $0–$200 (2023, subject to change)
Information Sources:
Select Details:
- Not required for licensed retail food service establishments with 100% of sales occurring on site.
*A food storage warehouse is defined as any premises, establishment, building, room area, facility, or place, in whole or in part, where food is stored, kept, or held for wholesale distribution to other wholesalers or to retail outlets, restaurants, and any such other facility selling or distributing to the ultimate consumer. Food storage warehouses include, but are not limited to, facilities where food is kept or held refrigerated or frozen and include facilities where food is stored to the account of another firm and/or is owned by the food storage warehouse.
Departments of Public Health
Both state and local public health agencies regulate and assist with seafood safety, ensuring safe and sanitary seafood handling and distribution. Fishermen should check the information sources provided below and contact both the WDOH and the local (county and/or city) environmental health department directly for up-to-date information and to determine the requirements that apply to their specific situation.
Washington Department of Health (WDOH)
Environmental Health and Safety Division
Contact: WSDOH Customer Service
Telephone:(360) 236-3385
Email:food@doh.wa.gov
Information Sources:
This division of WDOH includes several programs with staff who assist local governments and other agencies with environmental health and safety. Here we provide select information about two programs that may pertain to fishermen selling their catch through seafood alternative markets.
The WDOH Food Safety Program team partners with local health departments (along with other agencies) to promote safe practices in food service and retail settings. The Washington State Retail Food Code—adapted from the 2009 FDA Food Code with some modifications—provides the safety standards for food served or sold to the public, and includes retail shellfish requirements and food worker card regulations.
Contact: WSDOH Customer Service
Telephone:(360) 236-3330
Information Sources:
The WDOH Shellfish Program regulates shellfish food safety through testing of both filter-feeding shellfish (e.g., geoduck and other clams, scallops) and the water where they grow and are harvested by commercial (and recreational) fishermen. The following provides information about one type of license from the Shellfish Program that may pertain to fishermen selling their catch through seafood alternative markets.
- Shellstock Shipper License
Description: Allows a fisherman to commercially harvest and sell filter-feeding shellfish (e.g., geoduck and other clams, scallops) shellstock.
Annual Fee: $263 (2023, subject to change), plus annual PSP testing fee (dependent on number of harvesting sites).
e.g., $353 for 1-2 harvest sites, $535 for 3 or more sites (2023, subject to change)Select Details:
- Does not allow shucking of shellfish or repacking shucked shellfish. Harvested product must be handled and shipped in accordance with seafood safety requirements.
County Health Departments
Contact: Food Program Coordinator or Plans Examiner
Phone: Varies by county (County Contacts)
Email: Varies by county and city (see county contact list above)
Each county has a local health department that sets the requirements for selling to retail. It is best practice to reach out to the county-level health department for their specific requirements.
Depending on the type of market and where it is located, additional permits and fees may be required by local authorities. Fishermen should contact local health department authorities directly for up-to-date information and to determine the requirements that apply to their specific situation (see County Contact list above).
For example, in King County, direct marketers who sell straight to consumers (1 on 1) off the boat dock DO NOT need a permit from the King County Health Department but DO need a Limited Fish Seller Endorsement from Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. However, direct marketers who wish to sell at a Farmers Market do need an additional permit from the King County Health Department because Farmers Markets are considered a retail space.
Local Authorities
Depending on the type of market and where it is located, additional permits and fees may be required by local authorities. Below are a few examples of such requirements. Fishermen should contact local authorities directly for up-to-date information and to determine the requirements that apply to their specific situation.
- Harbor/Marina
Local harbors/marinas may have their own requirements for selling one's catch off the boat or at a dockside (or fishermen’s) market. In some cases, only certain products or types of markets are allowed.
- City
City government may require a business license, vendor’s license, or both if selling from a vehicle or stand within city limits. Also, selling from private property requires proof of permission from the property owner, having an appropriate business license, and meeting local zoning requirements.
- County
County planning departments may require meeting zoning regulations and providing proof of permission from appropriate agencies (e.g., state highway division, county road office) when selling from a vehicle or stand on a public right-of-way or from property owners if selling from private property.
Adapted from Johnson T. (ed). 2007. Appendix L: Marketing your own catch: State and local Regulations in Washington. In: Fishermen’s Direct Marketing Manual. P. 81.
Additional permits and other documentation usually are needed to establish an alternative market. Be sure to consult with resource management, public health and business authorities before selling your seafood.
Information provided on this page was synthesized from interviews with fishermen and buyers, and from the Fishermen’s Direct Marketing Manual, the Small Farm and Direct Marketing Handbook, ATTRA publications, and other resources (see About this Website and Resources).