Do You Need a Permit to Fish for Tuna? U.S. Rules Explained
Do you need a permit to fish for tuna?In many cases, you need a permit to fish for tuna in the United States. For recreational Atlantic tuna fishing, NOAA generally requires an HMS Angling Permit attached to the vessel. State fishing licenses and additional recreational tuna fishing regulations may also apply, depending on where you fish and which tuna species you target.
In the Atlantic, Gulf of America, and Caribbean, only permitted vessels may fish for and keep bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, or skipjack tuna. If you catch one of these tuna species from shore or an oil rig, NOAA requires you to release it immediately.
Do You Need a Permit to Fish for Tuna in the U.S.?
The answer depends on three things: where you go fishing, whether you fish from a vessel, and whether you plan to keep or sell the catch. A tuna fishing permit is usually a vessel permit, not a personal permit. That means the boat owner or operator must hold and carry the correct NOAA tuna fishing permit.
You may also need a separate state saltwater license, especially if you launch from a bay, island, or coastal state water. State rules vary by residency, target species, gear, and whether you fish from shore, a private boat, or a charter boat.
Quick rule of thumb:
Situation
Likely requirement
Recreational tuna fishing from a private boat in the Atlantic
HMS Angling Permit for the vessel, plus any state license.
Tuna fishing on a charter or headboat
The charter boat needs an HMS Charter/Headboat Permit.
Selling tuna
A commercial permit is required; an HMS Angling Permit does not allow sale.
Pacific tuna fishing off California, Oregon, or Washington
Different Pacific HMS permit and state license rules apply.
Fishing from shore in the Atlantic
You cannot retain Atlantic tuna; release incidental catches immediately.
What Tuna Fishing License or Permit Do You Need?
A tuna fishing license is not always the same thing as a tuna fishing permit. Most anglers need to check both:
State fishing license: A resident or non-resident saltwater license may be required by your state wildlife or marine fisheries department.
NOAA tuna fishing permit: Required for many recreational Atlantic tuna trips and attached to the vessel.
Commercial permit: Required if you intend to sell tuna or participate in certain commercial fisheries.
Charter permit: Required for for-hire vessels taking paying passengers tuna fishing.
NOAA Fisheries manages Atlantic highly migratory species, including tunas, billfish, swordfish, and sharks. It requires federal permits for people who fish for, sell, purchase, or import these species.
Types of licenses available
The exact types of licenses available depend on your state and fishery. Some states offer an annual license, short-term trip license, lifetime license, or combination freshwater and saltwater license. Before your fishing trip, verify whether you need a fishing license online through your state’s official wildlife agency website.
NOAA HMS Angling Permit Explained
The Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit is the main recreational NOAA tuna fishing permit for private vessels. It authorizes a vessel to recreationally fish for and retain Atlantic HMS, including tunas, with approved rod-and-reel, handline, and speargun methods.
This permit covers:
Bluefin tuna
Yellowfin tuna
Bigeye tuna
Albacore tuna
Skipjack tuna
Swordfish
Billfish
Sharks, only with the required shark endorsement
The permit must be renewed annually. The hard copy must be on board whenever the vessel fishes for, takes, retains, or possesses covered species, and the operator must show it during an inspection.
Who needs an HMS Angling Permit?
You generally need this permit if you operate a private recreational vessel and want to keep tuna in Atlantic federal waters or most Atlantic state waters. Even vessels fishing only in state waters need the HMS Angling Permit if they want to retain bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, or albacore tuna.
An angler cannot use this permit to sell tuna. Selling your catch requires a commercial fishing permit, and your state may require another permit for seafood sales.
Do You Need a Permit to Fish for Tuna in State Waters?
Often, yes. State rules vary, so do not assume that a state fishing license alone lets you keep tuna. NOAA states that vessels fishing exclusively in state waters still need an HMS Angling Permit to keep the five main Atlantic tuna species.
Your state may also require:
A saltwater fishing license
A recreational registry or angler registration
A catch card or landing tag
Separate reporting through a state app or reporting station
Additional rules for bluefin tuna, sharks, swordfish, or billfish
For example, North Carolina requires anglers to complete a catch card and obtain an HMS landing tag from an approved reporting station before removing certain recreationally caught HMS from the vessel.
Check before you go fishing
Before a tuna fishing trip, check your state department of wildlife, marine fisheries, or natural resources website. Rules can involve closed areas, gear restrictions, seasonal limits, and species-specific reporting. State and local rules can differ from federal tuna fishing regulations.
Do You Need a Permit to Fish for Tuna in Federal Waters?
Yes. If you fish for tuna in federal waters—the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone—you generally need the appropriate federal vessel permit. In the Atlantic, that is commonly the HMS Angling Permit for private recreational boats or the HMS Charter/Headboat Permit for for-hire vessels.
The federal permit is vessel-specific. A permit registered to one boat cannot be used on another vessel. The operator must keep the valid permit aboard and present it to NOAA Fisheries or an authorized officer on request.
Federal tuna fishing regulations
Federal tuna fishing regulations cover more than permits. They may include:
Minimum fish size
Daily bag or retention limits
Closed seasons or quota-based closures
Gear restrictions
Catch reporting
Prohibited sales without a commercial permit
NOAA can change Atlantic bluefin limits during the year as quotas are used. Always check the current status before you leave the dock.
Do You Need a Special Permit for Different Tuna Species?
The HMS Angling Permit generally covers the main Atlantic tuna species, but the rules for each species differ. A bluefin tuna fishing license is not a separate recreational permit in most cases; bluefin is covered by the HMS Angling Permit, but it has stricter size, retention, and reporting rules.
Tuna species
Atlantic recreational rules to check
Bluefin tuna
Minimum size, changing retention limits, quota closures, and mandatory reporting.
Yellowfin tuna
27-inch minimum size and a 3-fish-per-person daily limit.
Bigeye tuna
27-inch minimum size; check current bag limits.
Albacore tuna
No Atlantic minimum size or bag limit listed in NOAA’s recreational guide.
Skipjack tuna
No Atlantic minimum size or bag limit listed in NOAA’s recreational guide.
Pacific tuna rules are different
Do not assume the Atlantic HMS Angling Permit applies everywhere. Off California, Oregon, and Washington, NOAA requires a Pacific HMS permit for vessels that fish for or land highly migratory species. Recreational charter vessels must also be registered under an HMS permit when operating in the West Coast EEZ.
Pacific albacore rules also differ by location. Off California, recreational anglers may keep no more than 25 albacore between Point Conception and the California-Oregon border, or no more than 10 south of Point Conception to the U.S.-Mexico border.
In Hawaii and U.S. Pacific Island territories, NOAA says there are no federal recreational regulations for some fisheries, but local rules may still apply.
Do You Need a Permit to Catch Tuna on a Charter Boat?
If you book one of the fishing charters, the captain or charter boat operator normally handles the federal vessel permit. An HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for vessels taking paying passengers recreational fishing for Atlantic HMS.
As a passenger, you may still need:
A state saltwater license, depending on the state
To follow the vessel’s bag and size limits
To help report certain catches if the crew asks
To check whether the charter’s permit covers the species you want to target
A charter boat’s permit does not automatically allow the crew to sell fish. Commercial sale requires the proper commercial authorization and endorsements.
Ask the guide before booking
A good captain or guide should confirm the permit type, target species, current limits, and reporting process before the adventure begins. Ask whether the price includes licenses, bait, tackle, fish cleaning, and whether you can keep yellowfin tuna or bluefin tuna on that date.
How Much Does a Tuna Fishing Permit Cost?
For the Atlantic HMS Angling Permit, NOAA lists a $24 application fee. The permit must be renewed every year, and online applications can be paid by major credit card.
Other costs may include:
State saltwater or freshwater fishing license fees
Non-resident license fees
Charter boat fees
Bait, tackle, fuel, and fish-processing costs
Commercial permit fees, which vary by permit type and fishery
Permit fees and Tuna fishing license requirements can change. Check the official NOAA HMS Permit Shop and your state wildlife agency before you apply.
Tuna Fishing Regulations: Size Limits, Bag Limits, and Reporting
Tuna fishing regulations by state and federal area can change during the season. The rules below reflect NOAA’s 2026 Atlantic recreational compliance guidance, but you should verify current limits before every trip.
Atlantic recreational size and bag limits
Species
Minimum size
Bag or retention limit
Albacore
None listed
None listed
Bigeye
27 inches curved fork length
None listed
Skipjack
None listed
None listed
Yellowfin
27 inches curved fork length
3 per person per day; no more than 3 per person aboard, regardless of trip length.
Bluefin
27 inches or larger, depending on category
Limits vary by vessel type, fish size, region, and season.
For 2026, NOAA adjusted Atlantic bluefin retention limits for permitted recreational vessels. Private HMS Angling vessels may retain up to two bluefin measuring 27 to less than 73 inches per vessel per day or trip, with only one in the 47-to-less-than-73-inch range. Charter boats may retain three, and headboats may retain six, under the same size restrictions.
NOAA does not allow targeted bluefin fishing in the Gulf of America. Trophy-sized bluefin rules are also restricted, and the fishery can close when quotas are reached.
Reporting requirements
If you keep or discard dead a bluefin tuna, swordfish, or billfish while recreational fishing in the Atlantic, you must report it within 24 hours of landing or ending the trip. You can report through the HMS Permit Shop website, the HMS Catch Reporting app, or by calling NOAA at 888-872-8862.
Some states use a different process. North Carolina, for instance, requires a catch card and landing tag rather than NOAA’s standard call-in or website reporting method.
How to Get a Tuna Fishing Permit Before Your Trip
Follow these steps before you go fishing for tuna:
Identify your fishing area. Decide whether you will fish in state waters, federal waters, the Atlantic, Gulf of America, Caribbean, Pacific, or around Hawaii.
Identify the tuna species. Bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack tuna can have different rules.
Check your state fishing license requirements. Confirm resident and non-resident saltwater license rules through your state wildlife or fisheries department website.
Apply for the correct NOAA permit. For Atlantic recreational fishing from a private boat, start with the HMS Angling Permit.
Gather vessel details. NOAA asks for vessel registration or U.S. Coast Guard documentation information, vessel name, home port, length, and other details.
Pay the fee and renew annually. The Atlantic HMS Angling Permit costs $24 and must be renewed each year.
Keep the permit aboard. Print the hard copy and keep it accessible for inspection.
Check current closures and limits. Bluefin rules can change during the season, so verify before launch.
Report required catches. Report bluefin, swordfish, and billfish landings or dead discards within 24 hours where required.
FAQs
Do you need a license to fish for tuna from shore?
In the Atlantic, you cannot retain bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, or skipjack tuna caught from shore or an oil rig. If you catch one incidentally, release it immediately. You may still need a state fishing license to fish from a beach, pier, jetty, or bay.
Do you need a tuna fishing permit for yellowfin tuna?
Usually, yes, if you keep yellowfin tuna from a vessel in the Atlantic. The HMS Angling Permit covers recreational yellowfin tuna, and NOAA sets a 27-inch minimum size and a three-fish-per-person daily limit.
Do you need a bluefin tuna fishing license?
There is not usually a separate recreational “bluefin tuna license.” Bluefin tuna is covered by the HMS Angling Permit or HMS Charter/Headboat Permit, but it has special size limits, retention limits, closures, and mandatory reporting requirements.
Can I sell tuna with an HMS Angling Permit?
No. The HMS Angling Permit is recreational only. To sell tuna, you need the appropriate commercial permit, and your state may require additional authorization.
Do I need a permit if I fish on a charter boat?
The charter boat needs the federal HMS Charter/Headboat Permit. You may still need a state fishing license or registration, depending on the state and the type of fishing trip.
Do children need a tuna fishing permit?
The NOAA HMS permit is generally tied to the vessel, not each child aboard. However, state license rules for children vary, and some states exempt young anglers while others require a license. Check the official state wildlife website before the trip.
Is a tuna permit required in Florida?
Florida anglers should check both Florida saltwater license rules and federal HMS requirements. If the vessel will retain Atlantic tuna, the appropriate NOAA HMS vessel permit is generally required, even when fishing only in state waters.
Can I use one permit for every tuna species?
No. The Atlantic HMS Angling Permit covers several tuna species, but each species has its own size, bag, season, and reporting rules. Pacific fisheries also use different permits and state rules.
How long does it take to get an NOAA tuna fishing permit?
NOAA estimates one to two weeks for mailed Atlantic HMS Angling Permit applications. Online applications may allow you to print the permit after purchase or renewal.
What happens if I fish for tuna without a permit?
You could face enforcement action, loss of the catch, fines, or other penalties. Because rules vary by water, species, and permit type, verify the current requirements before every fishing trip.
Are cast nets legal in Illinois?
Yes, with a valid sport fishing license. Cast nets must be no larger than 24 feet in diameter with 1-inch mesh, and you cannot use them within 100 feet of a dam.
What do you need to go pier fishing?
Bring a valid fishing license, rod and reel, tackle, bait, cooler, pier net or gaff, pliers, line cutters, sun protection, and a gear cart.
Conclusion
So, do you need a permit to fish for tuna? In many U.S. situations, yes. If you plan to keep tuna from a boat in the Atlantic, Gulf of America, or Caribbean, you will usually need the correct NOAA HMS vessel permit, such as the HMS Angling Permit for a private recreational boat or the HMS Charter/Headboat Permit for a for-hire trip. You may also need a state saltwater fishing license, and the rules can change by species, water, residency, and fishing method.
Before your next tuna fishing trip, check the official NOAA HMS Permit Shop, your state wildlife department website, and the current federal tuna fishing regulations. Confirm the species you target, the size and bag limits, whether the fishery is open, and how to report bluefin tuna. A few minutes of verification protects your catch, avoids costly mistakes, and keeps your sportfishing adventure legal.
Disclaimer: Tuna regulations change often and vary by location, species, permit type, and year. This article is general information, not legal advice. Verify current rules with NOAA Fisheries and your state wildlife or marine fisheries agency before you go fishing.
