The Department of Natural and Environmental Resources (DRNA) Secretary, Waldemar Quiles, announced on Wednesday that the Office of Licenses and Permits for Forestry, Wildlife, and Fisheries has a record 1,554 active commercial fishing licenses in Puerto Rico. Quiles also announced that the renewal license delivery time has been reduced from six months to less than 60 days.
This process involves evaluation by the technical staff of the Fisheries Research Laboratory regarding fines and/or submission of statistical data. According to Quiles, the public policy of Governor Jenniffer González is to streamline processes in all agencies, including the DRNA. As of September 15, there were 144 active beginner commercial fishing licenses, 1,410 full-time commercial fishing licenses, and 232 commercial fishing permits.
These processes are carried out under the provisions of the Puerto Rico Fisheries Law of 1988 and the Puerto Rico Fishing Regulation of 2010. Quiles praised the work of DRNA staff and fishermen, and promised to continue working to address the needs of fishermen promptly and in accordance with the law.