Federal HMS Permit? Angler or Charter

[billh22]

Can anyone know which permit you would get, an HMS Atlantic Angling permit or HMS Charter permit if some of your trip were private non-charter and some were Charter. What if you did not have a captain on board during a private trip?

[Banshee]

Thats a tough one! Which did you have last year? They cost the same, but the charterboat end with all the other things, permits, insurance, equipment, etc, etc. I guess it comes down to you are either a charterboat or you are not.
JW

[billh22]

I think the problem is when or if you are fishing without a licensed captain aboard, just the owner. What if you were just fishing the Captain and the mate, no charter. I have not been able to find any clear information on the use of the license.

[BayRunner Rods]

I just renewed my permit today...you're right on with the fact that the HMS charter category requires a USCG licensed Captain aboard regardelss of type of trip (recreational or charter). See below for FAQ from the NMFS site.

Q: Is there a description of an HMS Charter/Headboat category permit?
A: Yes, owners/operators of charter/headboat vessels fishing 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. To be eligible for this permit category there MUST be a licensed Coast Guard Captain onboard the vessel during ALL HMS Fishing activities regardless if they are commercial, recreational, or fee based in nature. This permit allows a vessel to fish both commercially for tunas and recreationally for HMS, although not on the same day. Only the sale of tuna catch is permitted with this permit. This permit is required if fishing in Federal or State waters and because it is a commercial permit the U.S. Coast Guard Safety Gear Regulations may apply. This permit will also allow a vessel to fish in registered recreational HMS fishing tournaments.

[billh22]

The following is the responds form NMFS regarding the difference between the Angling permit and the Charter Headboat permit.


The description of the HMS Angling Permit is as follows:

Owners/operators of vessels fishing recreational, even catch and release, for Atlantic HMS (sharks, swordfish, billfish, and tunas) in the Atlantic, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, must obtain an HMS Angling category permit. This permit is for recreational fishing only, no sale of catch is permitted. This permit allows a vessel to participate in registered recreational HMS fishing

The description of the HMS Charter/Headboat:
is as follows:

Owners/operators of charter/headboat vessels fishing 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. To be eligible for this permit category there MUST be a licensed Coast Guard Captain onboard the vessel during ALL HMS Fishing activities regardless if they are commercial, recreational, or fee based in nature. This permit allows a vessel to fish both commercially for tunas and recreationally for HMS, although not on the same day. Only the sale of tuna catch is permitted with this permit. This permit is required if fishing in Federal or State waters and because it is a commercial permit the U.S. Coast Guard Safety Gear Regulations may apply. This permit will also allow a vessel to fish in registered recreational HMS fishing tournaments.
If you need more help please call customer service at 888-872-8862.
Thank you,
NMFS Customer Service