http://www.nmfspermits.com/
For the 2003 fishing year, all owners/operators of vessels recreationally fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling permit.This permit has replaced the Atlantic tunas Angling category permit, and incorporates those vessels targeting other regulated HMS. Similar to Atlantic tunas and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permits, the 2003 Atlantic Angling permits cost $22.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through May 31, 2004
As the recreational fishing season for HMS begins, NOAA Fisheries wants to remind recreational fishermen about new regulations for Angling and Charter/Headboat operators who target HMS in federal waters of the Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, and U.S. Caribbean. The new rules went into effect on March 1 & 2, 2003. These conservation measures involve a recreational retention limit for swordfish, an inclusive recreational permit to fish for Atlantic tunas, swordfish, sharks, and billfish and a new reporting system to monitor landings of billfish and swordfish. Recreational fisheries and tournaments are big business in the economics of the East Coast and Gulf of Mexico, with the potential for hundred of thousands of participants. It is imperative that NOAA Fisheries and the recreational community work collectively to rebuild these big game fish and monitor their populations. For further details on the new changes please visit the library to obtain some useful documents to shed some light on what these changes may mean for you.
The current recreational daily bluefin tuna retention limit is ONE fish per vessel, measuring 47 to less than 73 inches curved fork length. (Subsequent changes to the daily retention limit will be announced on this web site. Angling category vessels in all areas are also allowed one large medium or giant "trophy" bluefin (measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater) per vessel per fishing year. All bluefin must be reported by calling (888) 872-8862, visiting the
www.nmfspermits.com website, or in Maryland and North Carolina, to the nearest reporting station. For North Carolina reporting station locations, call 1-800-338-7804; for Maryland reporting station locations, call (410) 213-1531. The Angling category yellowfin tuna daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length.
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