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I emailed some of the Marine Fisheries folks and the answer I got as of Friday is this:
To possess an Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, or albacore an individual must have a federal permit. False albies, Little Tunnys and Blackfin can be taken w/out this permit.
These federal permits are issued to State registered or USCG Documented vessels, versus individuals. This policy was devised for a number of reasons, we can discuss in more detail.
Therefore, if a bluefin was landed by a surfcaster it would need to be released, as heartbreaking as it may sound. Keeping one would be viewed as a violation of the Atlantic tuna regulations.
I will give him a call tomorrow and see what is up
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