Surf-fishing permits are a hot commodity

A Delaware surf-fishing permit and tag has become an extremely hot commodity to possess.

With a cap of 17,000 placed on permits three years ago by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control's Division of Parks and Recreation, all 2022 permits were sold in less than four hours on Feb. 1, the first day they were available.

And for those trying to purchase a permit online, due to high traffic, the Delaware State Parks server crashed just after tags went on sale at 10 a.m. It wasn't operational again until 11:20 a.m.

There were reports that, due to computer glitches, multiple permits were issued to online purchasers.

“We are looking into any accidental duplicate orders that may have occurred during the rush; however, no additional standard surf-fishing permits will be available. The off-peak permits, of course, are still available,” said Shauna McVey, DNREC community relations coordinator.

Long lines were the order of the day at Delaware State Parks offices throughout the state as hundreds, if not thousands, of people showed up in person to purchase permits.

People who waited in line and missed purchasing a permit, and those who tried on the website and were not successful, expressed their frustrations on social media and to local legislators.

One of those state officials who is speaking out is Sen. Brian Pettyjohn, R-Georgetown.

“There is one thing that is abundantly clear based on the dozens of emails, Facebook messages, and text messages today. Delawareans are very passionate about their surf-fishing tags,” he said. “I also shared in the frustration that many had going online to purchase tags, and were repeatedly kicked out of the system due to high traffic. We have to do better.”

And there was another issue.

Under a new Delaware law, active firefighters are eligible to receive a permit at no cost. However, as Pettyjohn points out, the firefighters have to appear in person at a state park office to obtain a permit.

“With the long lines at our state park facilities which were offering the permits, many firefighters did not get their tags. Additionally, most in our volunteer firefighter community have jobs during the day. At no point did they think that they would have to take off work in order to get their tags. Again, we have to do better,” he said.

Pettyjohn said he has reached out to DNREC officials to set up a meeting.

The sale of permits and park passes was delayed for more than a month due to supply-chain disruptions, according to a DNREC press release. Sales are usually open between Black Friday and Christmas.

The rapid pace of sales this year is unprecedented. In 2021, it wasn't until March 3 that the cap was reached and sales, which began in late December, were halted. However, Gov. John Carney released another 1,000 vouchers for permits available on April 14. Lines started forming in the Cape Henlopen and Delaware Seashore state parks parking lots the night before, and the 250 vouchers at each of the two parks were sold out by 10 a.m.

In 2019, the Delaware Parks and Recreation Advisory Council established a 17,000 cap on annual surf-fishing permit sales. DNREC officials say the first-come, first-served cap on the number of permits issued is the most equitable way to serve all beach users and to manage a limited resource, while also protecting against overcrowding of beaches.

Off-peak permits available

Off-peak permits, introduced by DNREC last year, are still available and allow fishing all days except summer weekends and holidays. There is no cap on the number of off-peak surf-fishing permits to be issued.

Off-peak surf-fishing permits may be used seven days a week during the off-season, which runs from Feb. 1 to May 29 and again from Sept. 6 through Dec. 31. From Memorial Day through Labor Day, off-peak permits may only be used Monday through Friday; Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day are excluded. The off-peak permit also allows entry into all Delaware State Parks without paying the daily entrance fee.

To purchase an off-peak surf-fishing permit, go to destateparks.com or visit any park office. Park user fees, including surf-fishing permit fees, provide 65 percent of the Division of Parks and Recreation’s funding, and are used to operate and maintain the parks.