The National Marine Fisheries Service now requires private-boat anglers to carry a new Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit. Anglers fishing federal waters for regulated Atlantic tunas, including bluefin, yellowfin, albacore and skipjack; billfish, including swordfish, blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish; and sharks, including large coastal sharks, small coastal sharks and pelagic sharks. The permit applies to both catch-and-release and retention fishing in federal waters and retention fishing in state waters. The permit, which went into effect March 1st, covers all anglers on a permitted vessel and must be renewed annually. Purchase it online for $22 at www.nmfspermits.com or call (888) 872-8862.
