Current Bluefin Tuna Regs - NJFishing.com Your Best Online Source for Fishing Information in New Jersey

Gerry Zagorski · #1 07-19-2013, 02:11 PM

Not sure what you meant by "correct as stated" ^^^

Let me ask this another way....

If I have an Highly Migratory For Hire (charter and party boat) Permit
how many fish can I keep at what sizes?

What is it for boats with a Recreational, not for hire Highly Migratory Permit ?

My Retreat · #2 07-19-2013, 02:54 PM

Recreational is 27" to less than 73" one fish per day/trip.

You are allowed one fish over 73" (Trophy) for the season.

The original 3 fish post is commercial regulations.

I hope that helps.

Gerry Zagorski · #3 07-19-2013, 03:22 PM

Retreat - Getting conflicting information.... As I mentioned in post above

"If I have an Highly Migratory For Hire (charter and party boat) Permit
how many fish can I keep at what sizes?"

The answer to this question from others is the boat is allowed an under 47 inch fish and an over 47 inch fish but not to exceed 73 inches. You can however keep one 73 plus fish once a year...

Is that right for the permit I have??

OK, now how about someone with a non not for hire permit which is a recreational permit?? They are only allowed one fish and it needs to be between 27 and 73 and they are also allowed to keep one fish over 73 once a year??

capt. carl · #4 07-19-2013, 03:31 PM

Yes Gerry...
On the permit u have, u can take an over and an under each trip
..and 1 trophy per year.

And yes....the Angling Catagory can take 1 trophy per year also.

GregW93 · #5 07-19-2013, 03:52 PM

What Bernie and Carl have said is correct. With your permit,You declare what you are fishing for by the first fish you kill. If you kill one under 73" you are recreational fishing. If you kill on over 73" you are commercial fishing, unless you claim it as your trophy fish. You can only sell fish over 73" if you have the commercial general category or the head boat/charter boat permit. It is illegal to sell any Bluefin under 73" regardless of what permit you have. Hope this helps!

Suckafish · #6 07-19-2013, 06:37 PM

Do I need a permit to catch and keep bluefin as a recreational fisherman on my boat

Rob B · #7 07-19-2013, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suckafish

Do I need a permit to catch and keep bluefin as a recreational fisherman on my boat

yes, a rec permit

dfish28 · #8 07-19-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suckafish

Do I need a permit to catch and keep bluefin as a recreational fisherman on my boat

You need an HMS permit, and if I read right which i probably haven't if your vessel is registered as commercial/charter fishing , recreationally of course... you can keep 1under and 1over other private vessels are only allowed one over 27 unless you get an over 73 trophy, one per year ...
Technically you even need one if you plan on trolling Albies and bonito... FYI , it's late I'm sure I'm wrong somewhere but I got heatstroke... That's my excuse!!

Sharkyispy · #9 07-20-2013, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregW93

What Bernie and Carl have said is correct. With your permit,You declare what you are fishing for by the first fish you kill. If you kill one under 73" you are recreational fishing. If you kill on over 73" you are commercial fishing, unless you claim it as your trophy fish. You can only sell fish over 73" if you have the commercial general category or the head boat/charter boat permit. It is illegal to sell any Bluefin under 73" regardless of what permit you have. Hope this helps!

Dave from Tuna.com outlines this for his trips. The charter has to make the decision whether to keep the small one, making it recreational or go for the larger size tuna and retain those. He would be a great resource for you Gerry.

Gerry Zagorski · #10 07-20-2013, 07:26 AM

OK let's see if I have this correct...

If I own a boat and I have or am a licensed captain, I can get a fore hire permit and can keep an under and an over daily and one trophy fish over 72 once a year.

If I own a boat and am not or dont have a licensed captain I get a recreational permit and can keep one fish up to 72 dialy and one fish over 72 once a year.

Now let's talk about commercial. It's my understanding that these licenses are more expensive, they stay with the boat and the boat needs to have life rafts, survival suits etc.

When Bernie and Greg say a for hire like me can choose if im fishing recreational or commercial based on what I kill, this assumes I have a commercial license too?

Pass the popcorn please