Recreational Atlantic Tunas Retention Limits

The recreational daily bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit through May 31, 2006, is 2 BFT (47 inches to less than 73 inches) per vessel per day/trip, effective in all areas, for the entire fishing year. Also, there are 2 windows of opportunity to harvest school BFT (27 inches to less than 47 inches) during the 2006 season. The school BFT fishery will be open in the southern area, defined as south of 39° 18′ N. lat. or approximately Great Egg Inlet, NJ, from July 1 to 21, 2006, during which time a retention limit of 1 school size BFT per day/trip will be in effect. In the northern area, defined as north of 39° 18′ N. lat., a retention limit of 1 school size BFT per day/trip will be in effect from August 25, 2006, to September 14, 2006. The school retention limit is in addition to the daily retention limit for large school/small medium BFT. Also, vessels fishing under the Angling category may retain 1 BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per year as a “trophy” fish for the boat. The recreational yellowfin tuna daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27″ curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack or albacore tunas.

Recreational Atlantic Tunas Retention Limits

The recreational daily bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit through May 31, 2006, is 2 BFT (47 inches to less than 73 inches) per vessel per day/trip, effective in all areas, for the entire fishing year. Also, there are 2 windows of opportunity to harvest school BFT (27 inches to less than 47 inches) during the 2006 season. The school BFT fishery will be open in the southern area, defined as south of 39° 18′ N. lat. or approximately Great Egg Inlet, NJ, from July 1 to 21, 2006, during which time a retention limit of 1 school size BFT per day/trip will be in effect. In the northern area, defined as north of 39° 18′ N. lat., a retention limit of 1 school size BFT per day/trip will be in effect from August 25, 2006, to September 14, 2006. The school retention limit is in addition to the daily retention limit for large school/small medium BFT. Also, vessels fishing under the Angling category may retain 1 BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per year as a “trophy” fish for the boat. The recreational yellowfin tuna daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27″ curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack or albacore tunas.