DE HB341

Reduces apprenticeship requirement for commercial fishing from 2 years to 1 year for all programs, including gill net, hook and line, crab dredging, and conch fishing.

Lowers minimum age for commercial fishing apprentices from 16 to 15 years old.

Adds alternative pathway to hook and line permit lottery eligibility through obtaining a Merchant Mariner Credential with Master capacity from the U.S. Coast Guard, plus a letter of recommendation from an active commercial fisher.

Removes restriction limiting apprenticeship eligibility to only those who have completed their apprenticeship when conducting lotteries for commercial permits.

Applies the same apprenticeship requirement reductions (from 2-year to 1-year period) to commercial conch pot licenses, conch dredge licenses, and crab dredger license transfers.