Louisiana’s Cooperative Marine Fish Tagging Program
The CCA, a conservation based group of anglers, started a volunteer tagging program back in the mid ’80’s due to the gamefish status of red ... Read More
Tuna Species Overview
The fertile Gulf waters combined with natural and many man-made structures is the golden ticket for offshore fishing opportunities off Louisiana’s coast. Tuna fishing for yellowfin, blackfin, and big eye tuna is an ever-popular aspect of the sport.
There are many ways to catch tuna in Louisiana, depending on seasons and water conditions. The most obvious is the fishery related to the oilrigs that are prolific in the offshore waters. If the water is right, one can chase tuna as close as twelve miles. 80-mile plus runs to distant floating rigs is always an option, and there are many rigs in between. Offshore oilrigs create bait-holding habitat, which can hold schools of tuna. Live bait fishing and trolling are the two most popular methods of catching tuna. Anglers should make efforts to reduce the visibility of hardware and sizes of tackle to trick the ever wary tuna’s eyesight. Fluorocarbon leaders are very helpful in getting bites from the most tuna. Lures such as poppers and vertical jigs also have a place, and should be at the ready to cast at feeding fish. Various natural bottom structures and humps have been productive for large Gulf yellowfin tuna. Tuna can also be “chummed” up by commercial fishing boats, whose discarded fish become a buffet for other fish.
Louisiana Tuna Species
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Gulf of Mexico Tuna Identification
The offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico are teeming with pelagic fish. The fertile waters, combined with many offshore structures such as oil rigs, create the ideal ... Read More
Related Rules and Regulations
All recreational anglers, including those not normally required to have a fishing license, and charter captains must obtain a Recreational Offshore Landing Permit to possess tuna.
Anglers fishing for tunas within or outside Louisiana state waters are subject to both state and federal laws, rules and regulations. Federal regulations regarding the recreational harvest of tunas change often, especially for bluefin tuna. Prior to angling for or harvest of tuna, be aware of the most current federal regulations for fishing or harvest, including sizes, bag limits and closed seasons. For updates on tuna quota monitoring and tuna retention limit adjustments, anglers may call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at 888-872-8862. The “Atlantic Tunas Regulations Brochure” is available at http://hmspermits.noaa.gov/ library.asp and announcements of changes may be accessed via the web at http:// hmspermits.noaa.gov/news.asp.
Permanent Louisiana regulations on tuna harvest may be superseded by seasonal changes within the federal regulatory system. See websites referenced above for current federal regulations.
Bluefin Tuna
All bluefin tuna must be reported within 24 hours of landing to NMFS by calling 888-872- 8862 or visiting www.hmspermits.noaa.gov. For further information about angling category permits call the NMFS HMS Division at 888-872-8862 or 301-713-2347.
A HMS Permit is required for all owners/ operator of vessels in the Gulf of Mexico fishing for and/or retaining the HMS regulated species of tunas, billfishes, swordfish and sharks. The Atlantic HMS Permits will be valid from the date of issuance through the end of the calendar year. The permit fee is $25.
An Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat Permit is required for all charter or headboat fishing for and/or retaining regulated Atlantic HMS in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The HMS Charter/Headboat Permit will be valid from the date of issuance through through the end of the calendar year. The permit fee is $20.
For information about contact the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) Permitting Office at 1-888-872-8862 or 727-824-5399 or visit the NMFS Permit Shop at www.hmspermits.noaa.gov. For complete HMS regulations, contact the HMS Management Division at 301-713- 2347 or visit the website at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/information.
