Atlantic Bigeye, Albacore, Yellowfin and Skipjack Tuna Commercial Minimum Sizes and Retention Limits

Minimum sizes and retention limits vary by permit type and species. Additional requirements may be applicable. View the HMS Commercial Compliance Guide for details. 

HMS Charter/Headboat Permit With a Commercial Sale Endorsement

Atlantic Tunas General Category Permit

Atlantic Tunas Harpoon Category Permit

Atlantic Tunas Purse Seine Category Permit

Atlantic Tunas Longline Category Permit

Trap Category Permit

This fishery is closed. 

Commercial Caribbean Small Boat Permit

Permit

To commercially harvest bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, or skipjack tuna in federal waters—as well as the state waters of all states except Maine, Connecticut, and Mississippi—vessel owners must obtain one of the following permits: 

• Atlantic Tunas permit, which has General, Harpoon, Trap, Longline, and Purse Seine categories. Vessels with a Longline category permit must also have a Swordfish Directed or Swordfish Incidental permit. 
• Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit with a commercial endorsement. 
• HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, which is valid only in the U.S. Caribbean region. 

Only one permit type will be issued to a vessel per year. 

Buy or renew a permit 

Measurement

Measure curved fork length by following the curve of the fish's body from the tip of the jaw to fork of the tail.

Illustration by Diane Rome Peebles.