Mass Tuna Question

[animal]

I have another question on the same subject.Since you are limited to one permit on your boat,how do charter guys sell the giants?I can only guess they're doing it illegally.We're getting the commercial permit this year,and the way I understand it,we will not be able to keep any bft under 73 inches.(even if fishing recreationally)

[beamie]

Animal,

No they are not doing anyting illegal. There is a Charter boat / headboat catagory where someone on the vessel must be a licensed captain. When you have this permit you are allowed to either fish sbft recreationally or gbt commercially but not both on the same day.

So for example is there first fish of the day is a 60" tuna from that point on you are recreational fishing. If the second is 73 or greater if kept would not be allowed to sell. In retrospect if the first first is a giant.....your done.

from the NMFS site..............

Q: Is there a description of an HMS Charter/Headboat category permit?
A: Yes, owners/operators of charter/headboat vessels 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) permit. To be eligible for this permit category there MUST be a licensed Coast Guard Captain onboard the vessel during ALL HMS Fishing activities regardless if they are commercial, recreational, or fee based in nature. This permit allows a vessel to fish both commercially for tunas and recreationally for HMS, although not on the same day. Only the sale of tuna catch is permitted with this permit. This permit is required if fishing in Federal or State waters and because it is a commercial permit the U.S. Coast Guard Safety Gear Regulations may apply. This permit will also allow a vessel to fish in registered recreational HMS fishing tournaments.

[animal]

Thanks Beamie.That got by me.I also can't find the retention limits for the general category.I've been told a few different things,but the hms permit shop online is mostly written in a combination of Chinese and greek.

[Van]

Their statement seems strange anyway. Everything said here is true, but the chances of catching a giant are very slim. The entire BFT stock is down to 10% of what it was due to the fishing in the Med.

Most likely the fish you will catch will be under 73" (way under). There just aren't that many giants arond anymore.

So go with the guy and have a blast catching school tuna, you will take home plenty of very tasty meat.

Good luck.

[thefishingfreak]

If your going to charter for tuna go with someone who is going to troll for ANY size tuna. equipt with spinning gear also to catch footballs. you'll have more fun and get to take home fish. like Van said.
If your looking to charter strickly for a giant all your doing is gauranteing the boat a days pay. you will spend hours staring at balloons or kites all day livelineing bluefish. and as was said any giant you catch belongs to the boat anyways.

don't forget if you choose general catagory you have to keep all the extra saftey gear required.

[Slick Moedee]

For tuna regs visit www.hmspermits.gov. Bag limits are on the home page. Right hand column or in the library. Look like 3 fish/day 73" +.

[animal]

Thanks,Slick,found it in the library.