What are the laws concerning tunas????

Go to www.nmfspermits.com

Dockboy,
Basically you have to leave at least one pectoral fins on. Do yourself a favor and don't cut the tails off, they make great handles.

Don't forget yer federal tuna permit! You need one to land tuna anywhere in the USA. LATER

bucktail,
Is that federal permit needed only if you want to sell tuna? or is it needed to catch your own tuna from your own boat as well??

Johnny,
the Federal permit it required for anyone to fish for tuna. There are two types angling and general. The general will allow you to sell your catch, but you won't be permitted to keep school sized bluefins. Only the angling catagory can keep schoolie bluefins.

one other thing should be mentioned,in order to sell your catch in NYS you also need a commercial food fish license which is almost impossible to get unless you have had one in the past year.the powers to be are making it impossible for someone new to get into the commercial end of the business.many people think they will pay for their tuna trips by sellimng their catch,if you do NOT have the commercial food fish license the fines are very high if you are caught.just a warning.

Tuna license

I thought you only need a license to keep Blufin Tuna. Isn't it true that you don't need one for yellow, albacore, big eye, etc. Unless you plan on selling your catch.

Ricky,
Not true, you need the license to fish for any atlantic tuna, even skipjacks.

Mike,

Oh. Thanks for the info. I guess I could have gotten into big trouble.

To All,

You need a permit for all types of tuna.
you must also be aware of catch limits as they change throughout the season. Finally you are legally obligated to report your landings. As I stated in the first post to this thread go to www.nmfspermits.com

How do I go about getting a tuna lic. and what is the cost? Just want it for fishing on a private boat. Thanks.

WHERE TO BOTAIN A PERMIT?

AT THE NMFKS WEB SITE PERMIT SHOP
IT'S 27.00 FOR THE ANGLING CATEGORY,
YOU ARE ALLOWED TO KEEP SHORT FISH IN THIS CATEGORY AND ONE MEDIUM OR GIANT
ANNUALLY,IT ALSO HAS A LANDINGS REPORT
THAT IS BROKE DOWN INTO 4 CATEGORYS
THE STICK BOATS
GENERAL
ANGLING AND PURSE SEINE
CHECK IT OUT

Be careful! I went to the NMFS web site around this time last year and they were still selling the prior year permit! Typical goverment BS! Why would I possibly want a 2001 permit in April of 2002?!!!! I had to wait until June or so.