As of Saturday, August 6, 2016, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is closing the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) Angling category fishery for large medium and giant "trophy" BFT, those fish measuring 73 inches or greater, in the northern region. The closure is effective 11:30 p.m. August 6, 2016, through December 31, and affects the area north of 39°18’N (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ).
Reported landings from the NMFS Automated Catch Reporting System total approximately 1.7 metric tons, and NMFS has determined that the codified Angling category northern area trophy bluefin subquota has been reached and that a closure of the northern area trophy fishery is warranted at this time. Retaining, possessing, or landing large medium or giant BFT north of 39°18′ N. latitude by persons aboard vessels permitted in the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category (when fishing recreationally) must cease at 11:30 p.m. local time on August 6, 2016. The intent of this closure is to prevent any further overharvest of the Angling category northern area trophy BFT subquota.
According to NMFS, the Angling category trophy fishery in the southern area closed April 10, 2016. The annual Angling category trophy limit of one large medium or giant bluefin per vessel remains in effect for vessels fishing in the Gulf of Mexico area, although directed fishing for Gulf of Mexico bluefin is prohibited. Thus, the Angling category fishery for BFT measuring 27 to less than 73 inches is open in the northern and southern areas only.
This closure applies to vessels permitted in the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category fishing in the northern area. Fishermen may catch and release or tag and release bluefin tuna of all sizes, subject to the requirements of HMS catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. NMFS regulations require that all bluefin that are released be handled in a manner that will maximize their survival, and without removing the fish from the water.
For additional information on safe handling, see the "Careful Catch and Release" brochure.
For more information on bluefin tuna fishing regulations, including recreational size and retention limits, go to hmspermits.noaa.gov or call 978-281-9260. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.
