Louisiana’s Cooperative Marine Fish Tagging Program
The CCA, a conservation based group of anglers, started a volunteer tagging program back in the mid ’80’s due to the gamefish status of red ... Read More
Highly Migratory Species Overview
Pelagic is a way to describe fish that live in open water and continually stay on the move. They are not typically found near the shore or the bottom. Some pelagic fish are also referred to as highly migratory fish because of the great distances they cover during the course of their annual or life-long journeys. Some travel to follow food sources or suitable water temperatures, while others travel to mate.
Examples of these “HMS” or highly migratory species include tuna species, the billfish, dolphin and wahoo. Because of their wide range, the regulation or protection of these species must be done on an international basis.
The waters off Louisiana have the perfect feeding grounds for these high-speed gamefish. Come see for yourself why Louisiana is a well-established fishing destination for anglers all over the country and the world.
Louisiana Highly Migratory Species
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2015 Recreational Fishing Regulations Major Changes
The LDWF is always monitoring the population of many species and the overall status of the environment. If they see negative impacts to populations, they ... Read More
Gulf of Mexico Tuna Identification
The offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico are teeming with pelagic fish. The fertile waters, combined with many offshore structures such as oil rigs, create the ideal ... Read More
Related Rules and Regulations
All recreational anglers, including those not normally required to have a fishing license, and charter captains must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit to possess tuna.
Anglers fishing for tunas within or outside Louisiana state waters are subject to both state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Federal regulations regarding the recreational harvest of tunas change often, especially for bluefin tuna. Prior to angling for or harvest of tuna, be aware of the most current federal regulations for fishing or harvest, including sizes, bag limits and closed seasons. For updates on tuna quota monitoring and tuna retention limit adjustments, anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 888-872-8862. The “Atlantic Tunas Regulations Brochure” is available at http://hmspermits.noaa.gov/ library.asp and announcements of changes may be accessed via the web at http:// hmspermits.noaa.gov/news.asp.
Permanent Louisiana regulations on tuna harvest may be superseded by seasonal changes within the federal regulatory system. See websites referenced above for current federal regulations.
Bluefin Tuna
All bluefin tuna must be reported within 24 hours of landing to NMFS by calling 888-872- 8862 or visiting www.hmspermits.noaa.gov. For further information about angling category permits call the NMFS HMS Division at 888-872-8862 or 301-713-2347.
All recreational anglers, including those not normally required to have a fishing license, and charter captains must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit to possess swordfish.
Recreational fishing vessels shall not possess more than five swordfish per vessel per trip. Swordfish taken under a recreational bag limit shall not be sold, purchased, exchanged, bartered, or attempted to be sold, purchased, exchanged or bartered. No person aboard any vessel shall transfer or cause the transfer of swordfish between vessels on state or federal waters.
All recreational anglers, including those not normally required to have a fishing license, and charter captains must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit to possess billfish.
A HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks. The Atlantic HMS Permits will be valid from the date of issuance through the end of the calendar year. The permit fee is $25.
An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The HMS Charter/Headboat Permit will be valid from the date of issuance through through the end of the calendar year. The permit fee is $20.
For information about contact the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Permitting Office at 1-888-872-8862 or 727-824-5399 or visit the NMFS Permit Shop at www.hmspermits.noaa.gov. For complete HMS regulations, contact the HMS Management Division at 301-713- 2347 or visit the website at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/information.
