Another Commercial BFT closure!!!

[Roccus7]

General Category Bluefin Fishery to Close for October through November Subquota Period Closure Effective 11:30 p.m. on October 13, 2019

The General category bluefin fishery will close for the October through November subquota period effective 11:30 p.m. on October 13, 2019.​ Why is the fishery closing? We expect that the General category October through November adjusted subquota of 172.2 mt—the total following a recent transfer—will be reached. This assessment was made based on the best available landings information, as well as average catch rates and anticipated fishing conditions.​ How long is the closure in effect? The General category bluefin tuna fishery will reopen on December 1, 2019, with the default limit of one fish. Although we previously adjusted the quota for the December 2019 subquota period to 9.4 mt in an inseason quota transfer to the January 2019 subquota period, we would consider a potential quota transfer from the Reserve to the General category for the December subquota period, prior to December 1, after reviewing the best available 2019 landings information to date.​ Who is affected? This action applies to commercial General category permitted vessels and to HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna. Persons aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic Tunas General and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat categories may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna after 11:30 p.m. October 13, 2019, and through November 30, 2019.​ Catch reporting Dealers are required to submit landing reports within 24 hours of receiving bluefin tuna. Late dealer reporting compromises NOAA Fisheries’ ability to implement actions such as quota and retention limit adjustments or fishery closures and may result in enforcement actions. Additionally, and separate from the dealer reporting requirement, General category and HMS Charter/Headboat category vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of the landing(s) 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.).