Atlantic HMS Permits

[Fish On]

Thought it might be good to review the Atlantic HMS permits for this year. Caution: I purchased an Atlantic Tuna permit last year which would allow me to sell my catch but also prohibited me from fishing for sharks and other billfish. I tried in vain to switch my permit after purchase with absolutely no support from the NMFS. Bottom line, be careful before you buy.

Has anyone heard of any changes to the rules that essentially require that you have 2 boats if you want to fish for sharks or billfish and potentially sell a tuna? From what I read on the NMFS site all fishing for HMS is closed. Anyone have any clue as to when it will reopen?

[MakoMike]

Fishon,
I think the seaon opens May 1, once you buy your permit you're locked into that category for the year. If you have a general category permit you can fish for sharks if you're in a tourney. You can fish for billfish anytime (who would keep one anyway?)

[Fish On]

I wouldn't keep a billfish but technically you cannot even target them if you have the Tuna permit as I understand it. Of course you can always say you are just targeting tuna.

FYI, I saw blue marlin for sale for $8.99/lb at a local fishmarket in my town over the weekend. I was a little disappointed to see that.

[quick decision]

Can you apply online?

[Fly Rod]

Try this web site

www.nmfspermits.com

[quick decision]

THANKS

[Mr. Sandman]

I recently got an email for renewel. They were doing something with their website and they would get back to me when it was complete. I haven't heard anything.
At this time I am just interested in the rec permit mainly for the half doz times a year I try for tuna.

Re:Blue Marlin in the fish market...I have seen this as well
. I bet it is a by-catch of some kind, the blue marlin is a game fish and there should not be a comm market for it.
That said I had some smoked once it it ain't half bad. But you would never see me keep one unless to hang on my wall and even then it would have to be something really special.

I think this rec lic thing is a ripoff. No way can they enforce this.

[RockLobsta]

Just got my rec renewed.....may try some shark this year!!

[likwid]

The rec license is enforced.

Go ahead and try to pull a large fish w/o them noticing.

[Mr. Sandman]

IMO, The comm lic is enforced...the rec isn't.

Have YOU ever been stopped and checked?

Do you know ANYONE who has? (really)

I could catch a small tuna and have it on the grill within hours and no one even bats an eye. Yes I pay the fee (which I think is bogus and does little to help the fish or anyone except employ management jobs that do little) But the point is why do we need a rec lic to catch a shark? or a 40# bluefin. Should their be limits...sure, a lic.... no way.

Sure, if you sell a 1000# fish I think there should be a lic to help monitor the catch, but this HMS thing (for recs) is a joke.

BTW, have you EVER heard of ANYONE being fined or prosecuted for not having a HMS (rec) lic? What's the punishment...a day off the water? This is a joke.
Yes if you pull a 800# fish and try to sell it you are in for a problem but if you kept it, and shared uit with your buds...no one would give a damn. No one checks recs for this. Are their tuna police out there? checking every 30' boat with outriggers? Yes I know the CG and others check this but the targets are serios comm fishermen and they are pretty obvious.
I have to say I don't go that often anymore (maybe 6 X per season) but I have NEVER seen rec fisherman being checked at sea for an HMS lic.

[Good N You]

Never been stopped on the ocean but the game warden is always lurking on the cape during the commercial season, checking all boats at the docks. They were off Marshfield in a boat last year handing out fines to anyone without a permit. Its only like $25, so its not worth the risk. If the permit was $1000, I could see guys trying to skip it. By having a permit to sell, I think you need to have all offshore items including epirb, raft, offshore flares etc. Coast guard stations a boat off the BB bouy sending anyone without these items home.

[RockLobsta]

I wasn't aware that a raft and epirb were required items? Where is BB bouy?

So If you have a permit to sell they are required??

[Fly Rod]

I could be wrong!!! "that will be a first!!!!" "HEE!!!! HEE!!!!"

You need that stuff once you go out beyond 12 miles!!!

And the BB bouy is SSE of Chatam about 34 miles!!! 70 miles from gloucester!!!

You need a good boat the bigger the better!!!

When the wind picks up you can only run to Chatam!!!!

I wouldn't take my 26 footer and there are people that do!!! Just leave your life insurance policy on the table top so your spouse can fiind it!!!