2004 Final Initial BFT Quota Specifications

In accordance with the 1999 Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Shark Fishery Management Plan (1999 FMP), NOAA Fisheries Service announces the final initial 2004 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota specifications. This action sets BFT quotas for each of the established domestic fishing categories and sets General category effort controls for the 2004 fishing year (June 1, 2004 – May 31, 2005. This action also establishes a catch-and-release provision, in addition to the tag-and release provision, for recreational and commercial BFT handgear vessels during a respective quota category closure. This action is necessary to implement recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Based on the 2002 ICCAT quota recommendation, 2003 fishing year underharvests/overharvests to be applied to the 2004 fishing year allocation, and the unused portion of the dead discard allowance, NOAA Fisheries Service announces the 2004 final initial fishing year quotas, as shown in the fax notice contained in the library. NOAA Fisheries Service announces that effective April 4, 2005, vessels participating in the BFT recreational and commercial handgear fisheries may catch and release BFT after their respective quota categories have closed. This provision also allows vessel owners/operators to tag-and-release BFT after a respective quota category closure has taken place, but would not require them to do so. This notice is a courtesy to BFT fishery participants to help keep you informed about your fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register. For further information contact the HMS Management Division at (978) 281-9260. For a copy of the fax notice, final rule, and/or the environmental assessment please visit the library.

2004 Final Initial BFT Quota Specifications

In accordance with the 1999 Atlantic Tunas, Swordfish, and Shark Fishery Management Plan (1999 FMP), NOAA Fisheries Service announces the final initial 2004 Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota specifications. This action sets BFT quotas for each of the established domestic fishing categories and sets General category effort controls for the 2004 fishing year (June 1, 2004 – May 31, 2005. This action also establishes a catch-and-release provision, in addition to the tag-and release provision, for recreational and commercial BFT handgear vessels during a respective quota category closure. This action is necessary to implement recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act). Based on the 2002 ICCAT quota recommendation, 2003 fishing year underharvests/overharvests to be applied to the 2004 fishing year allocation, and the unused portion of the dead discard allowance, NOAA Fisheries Service announces the 2004 final initial fishing year quotas, as shown in the fax notice contained in the library. NOAA Fisheries Service announces that effective April 4, 2005, vessels participating in the BFT recreational and commercial handgear fisheries may catch and release BFT after their respective quota categories have closed. This provision also allows vessel owners/operators to tag-and-release BFT after a respective quota category closure has taken place, but would not require them to do so. This notice is a courtesy to BFT fishery participants to help keep you informed about your fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register. For further information contact the HMS Management Division at (978) 281-9260. For a copy of the fax notice, final rule, and/or the environmental assessment please visit the library.