Get pacific permit application

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.

SUMMARY: NMFS is transferring 20.5 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the General category December 2023 subquota to the January through March 2023 subquota period. The adjusted General category January through March 2023 subquota is 58.2 mt.

Fishing for tuna that are managed federally as Highly Migratory Species requires a federal HMS Angling Permit in both state and federal waters and is also subject to federal regulations. Tuna that are not regulated federally are considered “unregulated” species in Florida state waters.

Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit $26.00 A captain licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard must be onboard the vessel during all HMS fishing activities regardless of whether they are commercial, recreational, or for-hire, and the vessel must comply with U.S. Coast Guard safety gear regulations.

4 categories of fish managed by NOAA Fisheries' Atlantic HMS Program. We manage four categories of fish known as highly migratory species in U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico—tunas, swordfish, billfishes, and sharks. These fish migrate long distances, often crossing domestic and international boundaries.

4 categories of fish managed by NOAA Fisheries' Atlantic HMS Program. We manage four categories of fish known as highly migratory species in U.S. Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico—tunas, swordfish, billfishes, and sharks. These fish migrate long distances, often crossing domestic and international boundaries.

An Atlantic HMS Angling permit is required for all owners/operators of recreational vessels fishing for and/or retaining regulated HMS (tunas, sharks, swordfish and billfish) in the Atlantic Ocean, including in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea.