2015 Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish General Commercial,
and Atlantic HMS Vessel Permits Now Available
This notice outlines the procedures for obtaining a 2015 open access Atlantic Tunas Permit, which allows you to commercially fish for and/or retain Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, and bigeye tunas; Swordfish General Commercial permit which allows you to commercially fish for and/or retain Atlantic swordfish; an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit, which allows you to recreationally fish for and/or retain any regulated Atlantic HMS (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish, or billfish); or an HMS Charter/Headboat Permit, which is required by vessels taking fee-paying passengers fishing for or retaining HMS.
The permits issued for the 2015 season will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2015.
The permit fee will vary between $20 and $40, depending on the permits being applied for, and are payable by credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, or American Express) or check/money order.
Renew by: |
How: |
Receive permit by: |
Internet |
Go to https://hmspermits.noaa.gov |
Print your permit off the website, fax, Priority Mail, or regular mail |
Telephone |
Dial (888) 872-8862 (toll-free) |
Fax, Priority Mail, or regular mail* |
Mail |
Request renewal package by calling (888) 872-8862 or print the forms available at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov |
Fax, Priority Mail, or regular mail* |
* As an alternative, you may print your permit off the website once it has been processed (about 3 business days after your phone renewal or your complete application, including payment, has been received)
You will need your Atlantic tunas or your Atlantic HMS permit number to renew your permit. If your permit number from last year is not available, you may look it up at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov using your last name, phone number, and zip code, or a Customer Service representative may assist at the number below. Please check your current permit information carefully prior to renewing your permit.
NEW FOR 2015: Bluefin Tuna Catch Reporting
- Atlantic Tunas General, Harpoon, and HMS Charter/Headboat categories are required to report the length of all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead through the online catch reporting system at https://hmspermits.noaa.gov within 24 hours of the landings or end of each trip, beginning January 1, 2015.
If you have questions regarding the permit process, our Customer Service representatives are available at (888) 872-8862, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
PLEASE NOTE: Changes to your permit category may be made under the following circumstances:
a) When you renew the permit for the upcoming 2015 season;
b) Within 45-calendar days from the permits' date of issuance to correct any errors in permit category provided the vessel has not landed bluefin. After 45-calendar days, and if bluefin have been landed, permit categories may not be changed for the 2015 fishing year. |
