NOAA Cracks Down on Pier-Based Tuna Fishing – Pier Anglers Fight for Access

Final week’s wild bluefin blitz near the seashore in Nag’s Head, North Carolina, throughout which a number of tuna have been hooked from the top of Jenette’s Pier, has attracted the eye of the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which manages the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna fishery via the Extremely Migratory Species Administration Division.

Some outstanding catches, together with two bluefin from kayaks and several other hookups from the pier garnered widespread consideration on social media for the reason that tuna first appeared near the seashore on the finish of March. This consideration drove extra anglers to Jenette’s for their very own once-in-a-lifetime alternative to hook a bluefin tuna from shore.

For these of us within the “boat fish don’t rely crowd,” this was like a dream come true. Nevertheless, earlier than I may strap my tuna reels on my heaviest surf rods and head for the Outer Banks, the oldsters at NOAA reminded these of us with a case of land-based tuna fever, that focusing on tuna from shore isn’t allowed.

Any and all tuna fishing requires a Extremely Migratory Species (HMS) Allow, which is connected to the vessel from which the tuna fishing is to be achieved. Whereas kayaks might be registered, and due to this fact can carry an HMS Allow, no such chance exists for land-based fishermen. Meaning, within the uncommon cases when bluefin tuna come inside casting distance of shore, it’s unlawful to focus on them.

All of the social media consideration given to anglers casting to tuna off Jenette’s attracted a NOAA Regulation Enforcement Officer to the pier final Tuesday, to advise the oldsters working there that focusing on bluefin tuna with out an HMS Allow carries a $2,000 wonderful for the primary violation, and that by posting in regards to the tuna being hooked on the pier, Jenette’s was selling an criminality.

Feeling denied a novel alternative to focus on tuna from shore, anglers have begun pushing NOAA to “create a lawful path for leisure shore-based anglers—together with pier fishermen—to take part within the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery.” The petition on Change.org has roughly 1,200 signatures as of this posting, and Dr. David Harding, who began the petition, is organizing a protest in Nag’s Head this Saturday. In his phrases, the presently laws that forestall shore-based anglers from having the ability to legally goal tuna is “not conservation — it’s exclusion.”

If Harding’s efforts are profitable, and NOAA develops a approach for shore-based anglers to purchase Extremely Migratory Species Permits, I believe I’d purchase one, in an excessive act of optimism. In spite of everything, what surfcaster hasn’t daydreamed about touchdown a bluefin tuna from the seashore?

Featured Picture: One of many bluefin caught and launched from Jenette’s Pier in Nag’s Head, North Carolina. 

Right here’s the total press launch of the protest, and extra details about the trigger beneath:

Operation Inflate: The Bluefin UprisingSeason’s open, bluefin in sightWhy can’t all of us share the rightInflate a toy it’s that insaneEqual entry that’s our purpose

NAGS HEAD, NC – April 10, 2025 – On Saturday, April 19 at 10 a.m., a whole lot of leisure anglers will collect on the seashore subsequent to Jennette’s Pier-standing with inflatable unicorns, rubber geese, and different novelty floats registered as vessels-for a extremely seen protest known as Operation Inflate: The Bluefin Rebellion. Their objective: to show what they are saying is an absurd and discriminatoryfederal coverage that bans shore-based anglers from legally fishing for bluefin tuna, even when the season is open and the fish are inside casting distance.

“The legislation says we are able to fish for bluefin tuna if we have now a allow – however you may solely apply if you happen to personal a registered vessel, like a ship,” stated Dr. David Harding, spokesperson for FishingPiers.Information. “So we’re registering our floaties and fishing from the seashore utilizing them as registered vessels. This may occasionally appear absurd – and that’s how absurd the legislation is.”

The protest highlights a regulatory hole in NOAA’s Extremely Migratory Species (HMS) allow system. Leisure harvest of bluefin tuna is presently allowed for boat homeowners with a $27.50 allow. However shore-based anglers – together with these fishing from public piers, jetties, and seashores – are usually not even eligible to use, even throughout an open season.

“This isn’t about breaking the legislation – it’s about being written out of it fully,” Harding stated. “If you happen to can’t afford a ship, you’re denied entry to a authorized public fishery. That’s not conservation – that’sexclusion.”

The occasion has already drawn nationwide consideration on-line, the place images and movies of bluefin tuna inside casting distance of piers have gone viral. NOAA officers just lately visited Jennette’s Pier andwarned that shore anglers may face fines of as much as $2,000 for focusing on bluefin – even catch-and-release. Pier workers have been advised to take away social media posts exhibiting the fish, on grounds that they have been “selling criminality.”

A Symbolic, Critical Protest

Members in Operation Inflate plan to face on inflatable unicorns, geese, and different novelty floatation gadgets – every registered as a state vessel – alongside the seashore close to the pier. This satirical act highlights the absurdity of a regulation that enables boat homeowners to fish legally whereas denying entry to anglers utilizing public shoreline and pier infrastructure.

“This protest could look absurd, however that’s as a result of the legislation is absurd,” stated Harding. “We’re utilizing satire to struggle for equity. Public waters needs to be accessible to the general public – not simply those that can afford a hull and a motor.”

For comparability, the Federal Duck Endorsement-also managing extremely migratory species-is tied to a person’s searching license and to not land possession or a vessel. In distinction, the HMS allow system excludes anybody who doesn’t personal a registered vessel, making a barrier that disproportionately impacts shore anglers.

Name to ActionAnglers throughout the nation are invited to hitch in-person or remotely by submitting their very own inflatable protest images from native piers, seashores, and jetties. Supporters may also signal the petition titled ‘Demand Shore Primarily based Entry to Bluefin Tuna – Finish Vessel-Solely Permits for Coastal Anglers’ at https://chng.it/4kJGGxDbTR.

Occasion Particulars:What: Operation Inflate: The Bluefin UprisingWhen: Saturday, April 19, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.The place: On the seashore subsequent to Jennette’s Pier, Nags Head, North CarolinaWho: Leisure anglers, advocates, and supporters of public fishing entry