Petition Summary:

We, the undersigned, call on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the U.S. Congress, and state fisheries agencies to create a lawful path for recreational shore-based anglers—including pier fishermen—to participate in the Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery. The current vessel-only permit system excludes an entire demographic of law-abiding, conservation-minded anglers from accessing a shared public resource. This must change.

Full Petition Text:

A rare and extraordinary event is happening along the East Coast. Atlantic bluefin tuna have moved within casting distance of public fishing piers, offering shore-based anglers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to interact with one of the most prized species in the ocean.

However, on April 8, 2025, NOAA law enforcement visited Jennette’s Pier in Nags Head, North Carolina and threatened fines of up to $2,000 for pier anglers engaging in catch-and-release fishing of bluefin tuna—even though the federal bluefin tuna recreational season is open. Pier staff were ordered to remove social media content that simply mentioned the presence of these fish, with NOAA alleging it “promoted illegal activity.”

This enforcement highlights a critical regulatory gap in federal fisheries management:

The current Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit is only issued to vessels.

No such permit exists for shore-based anglers, including those fishing from public piers.
This means that recreational anglers fishing legally from land have no access to a federally managed species, even during an open season.

This is not just a North Carolina problem—it is a national coastal access issue. Millions of anglers across the U.S. rely on piers, bridges, jetties, and surf zones to fish. These individuals are often:

Families
Veterans
Youth
Seniors
People with disabilities
Individuals from low-income communities

These fishermen don’t have boats—but they deserve equal protection under the law and equitable access to public marine resources.

We respectfully demand that NOAA and the U.S. Congress: Create a pathway for pier-based or shore-based anglers to legally obtain an HMS permit or equivalent that allows bluefin tuna fishing (including catch-and-release) during open seasons.

Suspend enforcement actions against pier-based anglers until clear, inclusive regulations are established that recognize and protect their right to fish.

Acknowledge pier and land-based anglers as legitimate stakeholders in federal fisheries planning, regulation, and data collection.
Work with coastal states, fishing access advocates such as FishingPiers.Info, and the public to create a system that balances sustainable fishery management with equal opportunity for all.

Public piers and accessible shorelines are the heart of America’s fishing culture. To criminalize recreational anglers for casting into a natural event—one that is legal for those with a boat—is a gross inequity and a dangerous precedent.

This petition stands for fairness, inclusion, and equal rights for all recreational fishermen—regardless of whether they fish from a boat or from the shore.

We urge NOAA and lawmakers to act immediately. The fish are here. The season is open. And the people deserve a voice.

Signed,