Do i need to have a Federal HMS permit ? What speciesare included in permit? And where do i obtain one of these?Hopeing to get out of Hatteras on a nice weekend. Thank you.

Mark

'' OFF THE HOOK''

Go to this website and click "Permits". You can apply online and print your own from home.

https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/Default.asp

vessel owners/operators who recreationally fish for or retain regulated Atlantic tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack), sharks, swordfish, and billfish in Atlantic Federal waters, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, must obtain an HMS Angling category permit or a HMS Charter/Headboat permit. However, General category vessels may fish recreationally for HMS so long as they are participating in a registered recreational HMS tournament and fishing under tournament rules. Vessels fishing exclusively in state waters are required to obtain the HMS Angling permit if they wish to keep their regulated tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, skipjack, and albacore). Vessel owners/operators should check their state regulations regarding the retention of sharks, swordfish, and/or billfish in state waters.

Thanks for the help. Now all i need is some good weather.............

At some point real soon they should start selling the 2007 Permits. The 2006 permit is only valid until May 31st 2006.

When I bought my 2006 permit last year it was on April 29th and it is valid on that date on even though the 2005 permit was still good until the the 31st of May.

They were 22 dollars last year.


This is copied from the site

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, 2006 Atlantic HMS permits cost $22.00 and will be valid from the date of issuance through May 31, 2007


Eric

I called today - they are going to get the site updated the first of may.