NMFS closes the northern area Angling category fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy") BFT for the remainder of 2010. Fishing for, retaining, possessing, or landing large medium and giant BFT (measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater) north of 39°18' N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ,) is prohibited effective at 11:59 p.m., July 18, 2010.
The intent of this closure is to prevent over harvest of the Angling category northern area trophy BFT subquota of 1.7 mt. NMFS closed the southern area trophy BFT fishery effective June 12, 2010.
Anglers are reminded that all non-tournament BFT landed under the Angling category quota must be reported within 24 hours of landing either online at:
or by calling (888) 872-8862. In Maryland and North Carolina, vessel owners must report their recreational tuna landings at state-operated reporting stations.
For additional information on these programs, including reporting station locations, please call (410) 213-1351 (Maryland) or (800) 338-7804 (North Carolina). Anglers may catch and release or tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of HMS catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. NMFS regulations at 50 CFR 635.21(a)(1) require that all released BFT be released in a manner that will maximize survivability, and without removing the fish from the water.
For further information on safe handling see:
http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/Partnershi ... ethics.htm
NMFS may make further Angling category adjustments via in season action, if warranted. This notice is a courtesy to BFT fishery permit holders to help keep you informed about your fishery. For additional information, ca1l (888) 872-8862 or (978) 281-9260, or go to http://www.hmspermits.gov. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.
The current recreational daily bluefin tuna (BFT) retention for limit for HMS Angling (private recreational) vessels will be one school or large school BFT (measuring 27 to less than 59 inches) per vessel per day/trip.
- The current recreational daily BFT retention for limit for HMS Charter/Headboat vessels (fishing recreationally) is one school BFT (measuring 27 to less than 47 inches) and one large school BFT (measuring 47 to less than 59 inches) per vessel per day/trip.
- These BFT retention limits are effective for all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico.
- The Gulf of Mexico is designated as a spawning grounds for BFT and therefore NMFS does not allow vessels, commercial or recreational, to target BFT while fishing in this area.
- The recreational yellowfin tuna daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person/day/trip. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length.
- There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack or albacore tunas.
- HMS Angling permit holders can retain one (1) fish per day, 27" < 59" (CFL).
- HMS Charter/Headboat permit holders can retain one (1) school bluefin tuna, 27" < 47" (CFL) AND one (1) large school bluefin tuna, 47" < 59", for a total of two (2) fish per day, while fishing recreationally.
- HMS Angling Category permit holders can NO longer retain a trophy Bluefin Tuna (73"+), effective July 18, 2010 @ 11:59 PM.
- General Category has not been effected
- HMS Charter/Headboats fishing north of Great Egg Inlet, NJ, are eligible to retain 1 BFT (73"+) per vessel per year as a “trophy” fish for the boat.
