Penalty?????

[Nauti Buoy]

I have been unable to determine the penalty for fishing for tuna without a recreational vessel permit, or exceeding the one/vessel/day limit (or whatever limit is current). I've checked the NMFS Permit site, but to no avail. I've heard the penalty is $10,000 plus loss of boat. Is this correct?

[Perch]

Nauti: Why does NOAA Fisheries make obeying the law so hard? I can't find any answers on a Google search. I know you’re not supposed to target them after a certain date, even if you release the ones you catch. But do we need a permit if we’re not gonna kill them now? If I get a shot, I'd like to take it without feeling guilty.

[maineguideman]

Im glad somebody else brought this up
I just rigged up a 12 wt with a big ross canyon Im gonna start the chase. I hear all kinds of posts about gaffing and some of the pics posted are of dead SBFTs at the dock.???
What is the minimum size?
What is the season?
can you even target or keep them?
Do you need a federal permit ?
Do you need a state permit?
I fully plan to release one if I am ever lucky enough to get one to the gunwhale but I too, would like to be in compliance with all state & federal regulations

[Tball]

Here is cut from NMFS web site:

http://147.208.16.217/default.asp

HMS Angling Permit Category: Recreational BFT daily recreation limits
The recreational BFT daily retention limits for the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and Charter/Headboat categories for the 2004 fishing season, in all areas, for all vessels fishing under the Angling category quota (i.e., both HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat vessels) is one BFT, measuring 27 to less than 73 inches CFL, per vessel per day/trip. Subsequent changes will be announced on this website.


Curved Fork Length Measurement

</STRONG>

For enforcement purposes, total curved fork length is the sole criterion for determining the size class of whole (with head) Atlantic tunas. Measurements must be taken in a line, tracing the contour of the body from the tip of the upper jaw to the fork of the tail, which abuts the dorsal insertion of the pectoral fin and the dorsal side of the caudal keel. For tunas with heads removed, pectoral fin curved fork length (PFCFL) must be taken and multiplied by a conversion factor of 1.35 to obtain total curved fork length. Measurements must be taken from the dorsal insertion of the pectoral fin, tracing the contour of the body, to the fork of the tail. THE TAPE MUST TOUCH THE TOP PORTION OF THE PECTORAL FIN.


Q: Do I need a recreational permit to fish for or land tunas, sharks, swordfish, and/or bilfish?
A: Yes, vessel owners/operators who recreationally fish for or retain regulated Atlantic tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack), sharks, swordfish, and billfish in Atlantic Federal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, must obtain an HMS Angling category permit or a HMS Charter/Headboat permit. However, General category vessels may fish recreationally for HMS so long as they are participating in a registered recreational HMS tournament and fishing under tournament rules. Vessels fishing exclusively in state waters are required to obtain the HMS Angling permit if they wish to keep their regulated tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, and albacore). Vessel owners/operators should check their state regulations regarding the retention of sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish in state waters


Q: What are the Angling category (recreational) daily retention limits for Atlantic tunas?
A: The number of bluefin tuna you may land varies throughout the fishing season. Therefore, you should check the "Status of Atlantic Tuna Fisheries" page or our information line (888-872-8862 or 978-281-9305) before making a trip to get the most up-to-date information. Yellowfin tuna: 3 yellowfin tuna per person per trip There are currently no recreational retention limits for bigeye, albacore, and skipjack tunas. Note that in the case of multi-day trips, the daily limit (for bluefin and yellowfin tuna) applies upon landing.

[Perch]

Thanks Tball. As I read this, you don’t need a permit to catch and release bluefins if you stay inside three miles. They were busting all around me a mile off Chatham, and all I had was a nine weight. Lucky I didn't hook up. But what a beautiful sight.

[schwilp]

Perch, actually I think you do need a permit just to cast to these fish - and I have heard of this being enforced. The permit used to be really easy to get online and it was pretty cheap - though when I went to the NOAA website today it has gotten fouled up - at any rate I wouldn't chance it - it is also important for the NOAA folks to get an idea of how many people are fishing recreationally and it may factor into the yearly quotas. At any rate - these fish can be hard to release - unless you are willing to cut them off quickly at the boat (I believe Derek from First Light had a really good post on how to do this last year). Bottom line - if you are going to target pelagics - no matter how close they are - you need the permit (and you can get one for any boat - even kayaks!! )- it's true - Ruge ? was it you out there last fall with the bloody kayak!!!

? does this sound right to folks?

[BCM]

The permit is $22. Just get one and be safe. Lets be honest, if you catch the fish of a lifetime, and finally get it to the boat, do you really want to throw it back?

Brendan

[mumichog]

Getting a permit is the only responsible thing to do because these fish have very high mortality rates upon release. In other words, if you try to catch one you had better be prepared to kill it. It will mostly likely die even if you try to revive it after a long battle. So say my commercial/guide sources up here and so does what I've read say the same thing.

What about some of the experienced guys on this board, is it true the tuna are essentially DOA when brought to the boat?

[Slappy]

is it true the tuna are essentially DOA when brought to the boat?

Disagree.
West coasters are getting into the catch and release tuna fishery. Some use nets instead of gaffs, or if you are quick, tail the fish. Or on bait, clip the line near the hook. The key is not to let them flop around in your boat or injure their gills. I am sure that it is difficult to determine the mortality rate.

When fishing for bonito in heavily fished areas like Redondo Beach you frequently catch fish that have been caught before. Bonitos are a close relation and I would think that they would have a similar mortality rate.

Every time you release a fish, the mortality rate is lower than the ones you keep!

[Bruce H]

As we sit and wait for the arrival of Fat Albert I recall posts from last year indicating a need for a Federal PErmit to catch albies? The Coast Guard and EPO were enforcing this last year down around Buzzards Bay Is this true?

Regards,

Bruce H

[sandy]

I also have been wondering about the mortality rates of these sbfts. Let's just say I go out with two buddies for a full day tuna trip and within an hour of getting out there we are lucky to land one. To be safe should we just head in since we have filled the boat quota and any catch-and-release tactics we use for the rest of the day may end up killing fish. What about the two other guys on the boat who had to sit there and watch their friend get the fish of a lifetime. For the reel-timers who have kept a sbft do you continue to fish or do you head in? Maybe I am naive to think that the average fisherman is lucky enough to land more than one of these in a day.

[SamRiley]

What little I know for sure:

Yes, you need a permit even to target Bluefin, Skipjack, Yellowfin and others let alone catch and/or retain them. If you don't have a permit and you are pursuing them you are breaking the law and should loose your boat as far as I'm concerned. Permit is short money.

Bonito and False Albacore are not covered by the HMS permit. They may be subject to state regs though.

[hightechtoo]

Myself and one other person lucky enough to get one in the boat both headed in immediately....well, after pictures....after boating the fish.

Only 1 per day after all.