Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (BFT) Daily Retention Limit Adjusted


Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (BFT) Daily Retention Limit Adjusted


To enhance the recreational BFT fishing opportunities for all geographical areas maintain conservation limits for this species, NOAA Fisheries has adjusted the daily retention limit for the 2004 fishing years.



Vessels permitted in the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and the Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat categories are eligible to land BFT under the BFT Angling category quota. Persons aboard a vessel issued an HMS Charter/Headboat permit may retain and land BFT under the daily limits and quotas applicable to the Angling category or the General category. The size category of the first BFT retained on an HMS Charter/Headboat will determine the fishing category applicable to the vessel that day.



The below trip limits are per vessel per day/trip:




















DATE RANGE

HMS ANGLING

HMS CHARTER/HEADBOAT


Present to August 19

1 BFT

any size class.

 27 -<73″

1 BFT

 any size class.

 27 -<73″


Aug 20 to Sept 20

2 BFT

any size class.

 27 -<73″

3 BFT

any size class.

 27 -<73″


Sept 21 forward

1 BFT

 any size class.

 27 -<73″

1 BFT

any size class.

27 -<73″


In addition to the daily retention limit, the Angling category trophy fishery for large medium and giant BFT (measuring 73 inches or greater) is open in all areas, with a retention limit of one fish per vessel per year.



All BFT landed MUST be reported within 24 hours of landing to the www.nmfspermits.com website or by calling 888-872-8862 or, if landed in the states of North Carolina or Maryland, to a reporting station prior to offloading. Information can be obtained in North Carolina by calling (800) 338-7804, and in Maryland by calling (410) 213-1531.



Permit holders may visit the above website or call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at (888) 872-8862 or (978) 281-9305 for updates on quota monitoring and retention limit adjustments. For further information contact Brad McHale, 978-281-9260 or visit our Highly Migratory Species web page at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.


Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (BFT) Daily Retention Limit Adjusted


To enhance the recreational BFT fishing opportunities for all geographical areas maintain conservation limits for this species, NOAA Fisheries has adjusted the daily retention limit for the 2004 fishing years.



Vessels permitted in the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and the Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat categories are eligible to land BFT under the BFT Angling category quota. Persons aboard a vessel issued an HMS Charter/Headboat permit may retain and land BFT under the daily limits and quotas applicable to the Angling category or the General category. The size category of the first BFT retained on an HMS Charter/Headboat will determine the fishing category applicable to the vessel that day.



The below trip limits are per vessel per day/trip:




DATE RANGE

HMS ANGLING

HMS CHARTER/HEADBOAT


Present to August 19

1 BFT

any size class.

 27 -<73″

1 BFT

 any size class.

 27 -<73″


Aug 20 to Sept 20

2 BFT

any size class.

 27 -<73″

3 BFT

any size class.

 27 -<73″


Sept 21 forward

1 BFT

 any size class.

 27 -<73″

1 BFT

any size class.

27 -<73″


In addition to the daily retention limit, the Angling category trophy fishery for large medium and giant BFT (measuring 73 inches or greater) is open in all areas, with a retention limit of one fish per vessel per year.



All BFT landed MUST be reported within 24 hours of landing to the www.nmfspermits.com website or by calling 888-872-8862 or, if landed in the states of North Carolina or Maryland, to a reporting station prior to offloading. Information can be obtained in North Carolina by calling (800) 338-7804, and in Maryland by calling (410) 213-1531.



Permit holders may visit the above website or call the Atlantic Tunas Information Line at (888) 872-8862 or (978) 281-9305 for updates on quota monitoring and retention limit adjustments. For further information contact Brad McHale, 978-281-9260 or visit our Highly Migratory Species web page at www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/.