Legislation from state Rep. Greg Alexander that provides critical flexibility for a vital Michigan industry today advanced through the Michigan House.

Alexander’s House Bill 5210 modifies the commercial fishing license process with common-sense changes. It allows those applying for a license to list the same vessel on multiple licenses, which currently is not allowed under state law, and permits vessels to be added or subtracted from a license via written notification to the Department of Natural Resources.

“Commercial fisheries in our state today are heavily regulated, including where you can fish, what you can catch and what equipment you can use. There are also several other rigid requirements, like how many times a boat is listed on licenses, that ultimately create barriers for the industry,” said Alexander, of Carsonville. “This plan respects these livelihoods and what they provide for people throughout our state and Great Lakes region.”

Alexander noted that a boat can be utilized for various types of fishing, which makes it problematic when they can only be listed on one type of license. Small commercial operations would not have to go out and get a separate boat for each license if the plan becomes law. The written notice portion of the bill will allow commercial entities to transfer licenses from one boat to another due to repair or retirement.

Commercial fishing has been part of Michigan’s economic and conservation heritage since 1865. By the late 1920s, the number of people engaging in the commercial fishing trade was in the tens of thousands. Currently, there are only 51 state-issued commercial fishing licenses in Michigan.

HB 5210 now moves to the Senate for consideration.