Catching the Bluefin: 7 Bluefin Fishing Tips
May 27, 2011Excitement Is Landing That First Fish
June 16, 2011The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adjusts the General category daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit to 3 large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip Effective June 3 through August 31, 2011.
The commercial General category fishery will reopen on June 1. The default retention limit of 1 large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip will apply June 1 and June 2. NMFS takes this action after consideration ofthe regulatory determination criteria at § 635.27(a)(8) regarding inseason adjustments.
The General category daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the commercial
Atlantic tunas General category and the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat
category while fishing commercially. These limits are effective for all areas except for the Gulf
of Mexico, which is designated as spawning grounds for BFT and where NMFS does not allow
targeted fishing. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, the daily retention limit applies
upon landing. For example, whether a vessel fishing under the General category limit takes a
two-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the daily limit of three fish may not be exceeded
upon landing.
