Do I need a HMS permit for Blackfin Tuna?
I thought I needed it but after reading the website, I guess I don’t
" Atlantic bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tunas"
Fishb8 (Fish Bait)
23 Sea Hunt “My Last Boat V”
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No you do not, but the minute you catch a YFT or mako shark you will wish you had paid the $22. It’s a tragedy that this money does not go back into the fishery. Its simply a tax on fishermen that gets dumped into the general treasury.
Thanks Jason. Iv’e never caught a Blackfin so the chance of a YFT or Mako are way way low.
Fishb8 (Fish Bait)
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I feel, that if you fish offshore, you should have one.
You never know what you might end up catching out there! 
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With the way this is worded you might need one if you are fishing offshore at all:
Atlantic HMS Angling Permit (Recreational) Description
All owners/operators of vessels fishing recreationally 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. Similar to Atlantic tunas permits, 2012 Atlantic HMS permits cost $20.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2012.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/saltwaterfish.html
If you go two thirds down you’ll see the area covering Tuna.
quote:Yes, if you are fishing "for" them or retain them, then you need a permit. Technically, I think it's pretty hard to prove that you were fishing "for" a certain pelagic species, so I would imagine that it would be hard to convict you of anything unless you had something in your possession... Keep in mind, even if you are bottom fishing and decide to keep an Atlantic Sharpnose shark which is very common around here, you need the HMS permit...
Originally posted by BanditWith the way this is worded you might need one if you are fishing offshore at all:
Atlantic HMS Angling Permit (Recreational) Description
All owners/operators of vessels fishing recreationally 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. Similar to Atlantic tunas permits, 2012 Atlantic HMS permits cost $20.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2012.
But as lynmcd says, you never know what you will catch out there, so you might as well be covered. And, it’s only $20\year which amounts to about 5 gallons of gas nowadays.
Also, just to prove the point, there were some guys fishing in Charleston around 5-7 years ago. While the fleet was slaughtering dolphin by the hundreds, those guys only finished up with 1 bite that day. And it just happened to be a 130 bigeye tuna that they weight in at Shem Creek… I would hate to throw something like that back…
If you have any questions about HMS, definitely call the HMS Management Division of NMFS. Those guys are solid. If they don’t know the answer right away, they’ll find it out and call you back ASAP. From their website, it looks like their main number is 301-427-8503. However, I think their might be another number for tunas. Either way, the main office will direct you to the right spot.
Fishb8,
Be careful with this one!! What is the normal response when asked what are you fishing for - Ummm, Dolphin, Tuna, Wahoo!! We got stopped and without thinking - out came this answer! The next question - where is your tuna permit!!! Lucky for me I always purchase one! Worth the insurance in my opinion!
36 Contender Fisharound
Are We There Yet?
Good to know downandout. Where did you get stopped?
Fishb8 (Fish Bait)
23 Sea Hunt “My Last Boat V”
If you can’t stand behind our soldiers, try standing in front of them.
Believe this - 20 miles off the rocks!!
36 Contender Fisharound
Are We There Yet?
quote:
Originally posted by DownandOutBelieve this - 20 miles off the rocks!!
36 Contender Fisharound
Are We There Yet?
I’ve been checked 25 miles out and after we were checked DNR was heading on out further.
We havent caught a YF in several years now but I know that as soon as we quit getting the permit thats when we’ll get into them!
YES! permit required. The government wants it’s $$$