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

Current Requirements

Minimum sizes and retention limits for bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna vary by permit type and species. This page is kept up to date with changing statuses and retention limits. 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 Longline Category Permit

Commercial Caribbean Small Boat Permit

Permits

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 and Longline 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.