Atlantic Ocean via Outer Banks, NC

Effective May 2nd 2022, the recreational vessel limit for dolphin is 54 fish (excluding headboats). The 10 dolphin per person per day recreational bag limit will remain unchanged for all recreational vessels (private, charter vessels, and headboats). See Fishery Bulletin Must be landed with head and fins intact. Minimum size limit only applies in waters off Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina. If you are bringing fish back to the U.S. from the Bahamas by water, please see Bringing fish back from the Bahamas. ---------- Federally Permitted Charter/Headboats: -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that fish. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in state waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in federal waters but open in state waters, the vessel is not allowed to retain that species. -If a federally permitted vessel fishing in federal waters catches a species that is closed to harvest in state waters but open to harvest in federal waters, they may retain that fish if they do not stop to fish in state waters when returning to port. All gear must be stowed. For more information, see: Dolphin Regulations

All tunas must be landed with at least the tail and one pectoral fin attached. The upper and lower lobes of the tail may be removed for storage purposes as long as the fork of the tail remains intact. Any Atlantic tuna that is caught but not kept must be released immediately, without removing it from the water, to improve its chances of survival. Anglers must report all recreational tuna landings. Report all non-tournament recreational Atlantic tuna landings to NMFS within 24 hours by calling 1-800-894-5528 or hmspermits.noaa.gov. You must report recreational landings of tuna in North Carolina by calling 1-800-338-7804. You must report recreational landings of tuna in Maryland by calling 1-410-213-1531. All highly migratory species require an HMS Angling Permit from NOAA Fisheries. Permits are available by calling 1-888-872-8862, or by visiting hmspermits.noaa.gov. No sale permitted for HMS species caught under an HMS Angling Permit. For complete HMS regulations contact NOAA Fisheries HMS Management Division at 1-301-427-8503 or visit www.fisheries.noaa.gov/topic/atlantic-highly-migratory-species