Basic Commercial Fishing Regulations - Gulf States Marine ...

Swordfish: 29 inches carcass length or 33 pounds
dressed weight. To commercially harvest, possess or
sell swordfish, whether within or outside Louisiana
state territorial waters, fishers must possess a valid
Federal Commercial Swordfish Permit aboard the vessel.
No person aboard any vessel shall transfer or
cause the transfer of swordfish between vessel on state
or federal waters.
Tuna: In addition to state required commercial fishing
licenses, to commercially harvest, possess or sell
Atlantic bluefin tuna, yellowfin tuna, bigeye tuna,
skipjack tuna and albacore, whether within or outside
Louisiana state territorial waters, fishers must possess
a valid Federal Commercial Tuna Permit (1-888-USA-
TUNA).
Person subject to the jurisdiction of the state, fishing
for tunas within or without Louisiana state waters, are
subject to both state and federal laws, rules and regulations.
Federal regulations on recreational harvest of
tunas change often, especially for bluefin tuna. Prior to
harvest of tuna, be aware of the most current federal
regulations on harvest, including sizes, bag limits and
closed seasons. The “Atlantic Tunas Regulations
Brochure” is available at: http://www.nmfspermits.
com/library.asp and announcements of changes may
be accessed via the Web at: http://www.nmfspermits.
com/newes.asp.
Following are permanent Louisiana regulations on
tuna harvest, which may be superseded by seasonal
changes within the federal regulatory system. See
websites referenced above for current federal regulations.
Yellowfin: 27 inches Curved Fork Length (CFL)
Bigeye: 27 inches Curved Fork Length (CFL)
Bluefin: 27 inches Curved Fork Length (CFL)
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