April 30, 2020

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Retention Adjustment

Inseason Adjustment

NOAA has announced big changes in daily retention limits for bluefin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. These changes increase retention for those operating with an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit when fishing recreationally in the Atlantic. Anglers may still catch/tag and release bluefin tuna of all sizes. Please note that these changes do not apply to the Gulf of Mexico, in which targeted fishing for bluefin tuna is prohibited.

The adjusted limits go into effect on May 2, 2020, and extend through December 31, 2020, unless modified by a later action.

Type Previous Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip Current Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip
Private vessels with an HMS Angling permit 1 school, large school, or small medium (27 to <73”)
  • 2 school (27 to <47”)
  • 1 large school/small medium (47 to <73”)
Charter boats with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally 1 school, large school, or small medium
  • 3 school
  • 1 large school/small medium
Headboats with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally 1 school, large school, or small medium
  • 6 school
  • 2 large school/small medium

Catch reporting

Angling category and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or the end of each trip by:

Inseason Adjustment

NOAA has announced big changes in daily retention limits for bluefin tuna in the Atlantic Ocean. These changes increase retention for those operating with an HMS Angling permit or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit when fishing recreationally in the Atlantic. Anglers may still catch/tag and release bluefin tuna of all sizes. Please note that these changes do not apply to the Gulf of Mexico, in which targeted fishing for bluefin tuna is prohibited.

The adjusted limits go into effect on May 2, 2020, and extend through December 31, 2020, unless modified by a later action.

Type Previous Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip Current Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip
Private vessels with an HMS Angling permit 1 school, large school, or small medium (27 to <73”)
  • 2 school (27 to <47”)
  • 1 large school/small medium (47 to <73”)
Charter boats with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally 1 school, large school, or small medium
  • 3 school
  • 1 large school/small medium
Headboats with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally 1 school, large school, or small medium
  • 6 school
  • 2 large school/small medium

Catch reporting

Angling category and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or the end of each trip by:

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