Things You Need to Know about the Federal Tuna Fishing Permit

Did you know that a Federal Tuna Fishing Permit is required for all commercial tuna fishing in U.S. waters? Many captains of commercial ships don’t realize this. The permit is good throughout the whole U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, extending to 200 nautical miles from the shore. In the case of an accident, the authorization will protect you from legal action. Plus, if you have an unexpected circumstance, you may transfer your license to another boat. This essay will introduce the Federal Tuna Fishing Permit and the steps involved in obtaining one. Here are some details concerning the Federal Tuna Fishing Permit that you should know if you want to fish for tuna as a business.

You Must Have a Saltwater Fishing License In Addition To the Federal Tuna Fishing Permit

If you’ve ever spent any time at a beach, you may have heard of the Federal Tuna Fishing Permit. Maybe you’ve even seen it before and been curious about it. It would help if you had a Federal Tuna Fishing Permit to legally fish for tuna in U.S. waters. It functions similarly to a fishing license but is granted by the federal government of the United States instead. You must always carry the license with you when fishing tuna.

This license has been around since 1987, and its primary function is to prevent overfishing. This is of paramount importance given the diversity of tuna species, each of which has its own habits, habitat, and migratory routes. At least 20 species of tuna are potentially catchable in the Gulf of Mexico. Every year, only one hundred licenses will be made available, and the government will reserve a specific number for scientific study. If you have the proper license, you may take your fishing gear out into the water.

Tuna Can Only Be Harvested In Certain Areas Designated By the National Marine Fisheries Service

Another essential fact to remember is that the National Marine Fisheries Service strictly regulates where tuna may be caught. The National Marine Fisheries Service may issue a fine of $10,000 per unlawful tuna caught if the boat’s owner is caught fishing outside of a designated region. You must first register your expedition and file a catch report before you can legally bring in any tuna you catch. 

Information like where the fish was caught and how many were caught, harvested, and lost throughout the trip should be included in the report. Location, date, and time of the fishing expedition, as well as your precise coordinates at all times while you were out on the water, are also required. As a result, wildlife authorities will better understand where people are fishing and can better enforce regulations against overfishing in those areas.

There is a Limit On How Much Tuna You Can Harvest Each Year

If you’re fishing for tuna, you’ll probably be satisfied with anything you pull out of the water. If you aren’t, though, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Each year, you are only allowed to capture a certain number of tuna; if you catch more, you risk incurring fines. The maximum number of tuna that may be taken from the ocean by fishermen in a given year is specified by the Federal Tuna Fishing Permit as the annual limit. 

There are additional requirements that fishermen need to fulfill before they may get a Federal Tuna Fishing Permit. The first thing that must be done is to register their vessel with the Commercial Fishing Permits Center. Additionally, they must keep detailed records of the days on which they fish and the total number of tuna they reel in on each fishing trip. Finally, while fishing in federal seas for tuna or any other marine creature, they are required to utilize specific types of fishing gear.

The Permit Must Be Displayed At All Times While Tuna Fishing

If you want to avoid being punished for not properly caring for your catch while out on the lake, you should try your best to do so. For this reason, anybody fishing for tuna in federal waters must display a valid Federal Tuna Fishing Permit. The National Marine Fisheries Service adopted this regulation in 2010. It’s in place to ensure that commercial and recreational fishermen are keeping tabs on these prized fish and not putting them in danger. 

The only time the permit may be hidden is while the boat moves, but it must be clearly shown. When out on the water, any law enforcement or fisheries officials who board your boat have the right to request to see your permit. The penalties for disobeying these laws might include incarceration and monetary fines for significant infractions.

If you’re considering buying a federal tuna fishing permit, we’d love to help! Contact Commercial Fishing Permits Center at (866) 292-4204 today to learn more. We’ll be glad to give you the information you need to make an informed decision.