The Perks of a Federal Tuna Fishing Permit

There are a number of reasons why you would consider launching a career in commercial fishing. Maybe fishing is your ideal pastime and every chance you get you to spend your time out on the water reeling in fish. The idea of turning that hobby into your profession can certainly have a strong allure. Commercial fishing can also be an incredibly lucrative line of work, depending on what you are catching and selling. For example, Bluefin Tuna can command as much as $20 to $40 per pound on the open market. With such sizable profits to be made, you may want to look into obtaining a federal Tuna fishing permit.

As you can probably imagine, commercial fishing is a highly regulated industry. With so much money changing hands, and the importance of catering to global demand, commercial and industrial fishing operations must adhere to certain safety and regulatory standards. Having a permit is, of course, a baseline requirement. As a fisherman, you are probably familiar with the process of obtaining licenses and permits at the state level. The good news is, that acquiring a federal permit is not too dissimilar, and at the Commercial Fishing Permits Center, we can help you submit your applications online.

Where You Should Use Your Federal Tuna Fishing Permit

As the old saying goes, you have to go where the fish are biting. This is as true for commercial fishing as it is for weekend angling hobbyists. If Tuna is your desired catch, there are some regions that are going to be more bountiful than others. The Atlantic Ocean, in particular, is a premier destination for Bluefin and Blackfin Tuna. The territory and habitat for these species goes up and down the east coast, so you have the luxury of setting up shop on a number of different states’ coastlines. 

The Gulf of Mexico is also home to valuable Tuna species. With its favorable weather conditions, many commercial fishing businesses choose this region. While there are Tuna on the west coast, that region of the Pacific mostly produces smaller, less valuable Tuna. Ultimately, where you choose to fish depends on the needs and goals of your business.

Knowing the Different Types of Tuna Permits

Federal permits for Tuna are not one-size-fits-all documents. In the Atlantic, one of the more commonly used licenses is the Atlantic Tuna Longline Commercial Fishing Permit. As its name would suggest, this permit is specifically aimed at those who longline–the practice of casting lines, sometimes miles long, with hooks placed every few feet. This permit is applicable to the entire Atlantic region. 

On the west coast, there is the Tuna Treaty Permit. This permit is used to take advantage of the reciprocity the U.S. enjoys with Canada for accessing Tuna fisheries. In other words, with this permit, you can fish for Tuna in Canadian and U.S. waters.

Apply for Your Permit Online

You can apply for your Tuna fishing permit online using our simplified web forms. If you would like to learn more about our services, take a moment to browse our helpful FAQ page. We can also be reached by phone or email with any questions you may have.