NOAA Closes Giant Bluefin Fishery For Northeast Anglers - The Fisherman

NOAA Closes Giant Bluefin Fishery For Northeast Anglers

It sounds like a lot of fish – 1.8 metric tons – but broken down in simpler terms it’s just shy of 4,000 pounds.  So when the first reports of giant bluefin began to filter through Manasquan Inlet in late April, it wouldn’t take long for that 4,000-pound subquota of “trophy” bluefin tuna measuring 73 inches or greater would be reached or even exceeded.

At roughly 500 pounds per fish, the ballpark average of the bruisers that barreled through the region last month, that’s just eight giant bluefin to fill the allowance!

In an email from NOAA Fisheries on May 11 during a run of big bluefin off the Jersey Coast, fishermen aboard Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally) were notified that they may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater) in the northern area after 11:30 p.m. that night.  The northern area is the area north of 39°18’ N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet).

Before the trophy window closed, this 102-inch, 582-pound bluefin was caught aboard Mushin Sportfishing on May 8 by a crew of (l to r) Capt. Nick DeGennaro, Darryl “The Creature” Goffreda, Jon Cavaliere and Capt. Alan Lee.

“Based on the best available landings information, the 1.8-mt (metric ton) Angling category northern area “trophy” bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater) subquota has been reached and exceeded,” NOAA Fisheries said in the release, noting that the Angling category for trophy bluefin is effective through December 31, 2021.

The good news is that the Angling category fishery for school, large school, or small medium bluefin tuna (27 to <73 inches) remains open in all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, which is designated as bluefin tuna spawning grounds and where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.

Remember that HMS 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 the landings or end of each trip by:

  • Accessing the HMS Permit Shop.
  • Using the HMS Catch Reporting app.
  • Calling 888-872-8862 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.)

Before heading offshore this season, be sure to log in at hmspermits.noaa.gov for your vessel’s HMS Permit.  You may also request an application package be mailed to you by calling the NOAA Fisheries Customer Service Center at 888-872-8862.

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