If you’re planning to make a trip offshore don’t forget to renew your highly migratory species (HMS) permit. All permits expire December 31 of each year no matter when they were purchased.
This is a vessel permit, not per person, so everyone on board does not need one. Anyone who recreationally fishes for or retains regulated tunas (bluefin, yellowfin, bigeye, albacore, and skipjack), sharks, swordfish, and billfish in federal waters, must obtain an HMS permit.
HMS permits are very easy to acquire and there is no wait to get one. Just go online to hmspermits.noaa.gov and purchase the Atlantic HMS angling permit for $20.