Just two days after the Harpoon category closure, NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Department has announced the closure of the General category for Atlantic bluefin tuna. As of 11:30pm on August 9th, 2019, fishermen aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic tunas General and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat categories may not retain, possess, or land medium (135 – <235lbs), large (235 – <310 lbs), or giant (>350 lbs) Atlantic bluefin tuna.
Unlike the Harpoon category closure, this closure will only last until September 1, 2019. The 277.9 mt subquota of Atlantic bluefin tuna that has been allocated for June through August has officially been met. As such, after this subquota period ends at the end of August, fishing may recommence.
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