Primary management decisions regarding commercial fishing for Pacific Bluefin Tuna occur at the international level through the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC), of which the United States is a member. The IATTC periodically adopts resolutions which, among other things, establish each country’s catch limit. National Marine Fisheries Service (in consultation with the Pacific Fishery Management Council) then implements domestic regulations that satisfy the requirements of the relevant IATTC resolutions. In addition to these federal regulations, CDFW may enact additional regulations (such as a daily bag limit) to maintain consistency with federal management of the Pacific Bluefin Tuna fishery.
Current restrictions on commercial fishing for Pacific Bluefin Tuna include:
All commercial fishing for Pacific bluefin tuna in California, regardless of the gear used or amount of fish landed, requires both state and federal permits. Therefore, even small landings with hook and line gear are subject to these requirements. At a minimum, individuals must possess a California Commercial Fishing License and a federal Highly Migratory Species permit, and be fishing from a boat with a California Commercial Vessel Registration. Should individuals wish to target Pacific bluefin tuna with purse seine gear in the Eastern Pacific Ocean (east of the 150° longitude line), they must also be listed on the IATTC purse seine vessel registry.
In terms of catch reporting to the IATTC, Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel landings are considered recreational catch, and therefore are not deducted from commercial catch limits or subject to commercial trip limits. However CPFVs, both larger “party boats” and smaller chartered vessels, must possess appropriate state and federal permits (including but not limited to a federal HMS permit). Additionally, the recreational catch limit of two Pacific bluefin tuna per angler per 24-hour period (with a possession limit of six) applies to all individuals aboard the vessel.
For more information about state permits, please contact the CDFW License and Revenue Branch. For more information about federal permits, please contact the NMFS West Coast Region Highly Migratory Species Branch.