Current Bluefin Tuna Regs

[Roccus7]

Figured I'd put this as a sticky and update as they change...

Received this today:

Inseason Adjustment​ Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Fishery: Recreational Daily Retention Limit Adjustment​

NOAA Fisheries is adjusting Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits go into effect on May 2, 2021, and extend through December 31, 2021, unless modified by later action.​ What is changing?​ The table below summarizes the changes to the bluefin tuna retention limits.​ Vessel/Permit Type​ Default Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip​ Adjusted Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip​ Private vessels with a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category permit​ 1 school, large school, or small medium (27 to & <73”)​ 2 school bluefin tuna (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 ​ Who is affected​ The changes apply to HMS Angling category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally. The daily retention limits are effective for all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna. Anglers may still 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. All released bluefin tuna must be handled in a manner that will maximize survivability and without removing the fish from the water.​ 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:​ 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.). This notice is a courtesy to fishery participants to help keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.​

 

[Roccus7]

Proposed Rule; Request for Comments​ NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule regarding the use of restricted-fishing days (RFDs) in the Atlantic Tunas General category and HMS Charter/Headboat fisheries.​ What will it do?​ Under the proposed rule, NOAA Fisheries would establish a specific RFD schedule of every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from July through November for the 2021 fishing year. Daily commercial bluefin tuna retention limits would be set to zero on those days. This would mean that Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels could not fish (including catch-and-release and tag-and-release), possess, retain, land, or sell a bluefin tuna of any size class on an RFD. HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels could fish for, possess, retain, or land bluefin tuna recreationally under applicable HMS Angling category rules, but could not commercially fish for or land a bluefin tuna on an RFD. Throughout the season, NOAA Fisheries may waive certain RFDs by increasing the bluefin tuna retention limit for those days; however, NOAA Fisheries would not modify RFDs in other ways (e.g., switching days, adding RFDs).​ Who is affected​ This action could affect:​ Any Atlantic Tunas General category or HMS Charter/Headboat permit holder fishing commercially for bluefin tuna. Any dealers who buy or sell Atlantic bluefin tuna. Some Atlantic bluefin tuna tournaments that are open to participation by Atlantic Tunas General category permit holders. Public Hearing​ A webinar and conference call for this rulemaking will take place on May 19, 2021. Information for registering and accessing the webinar can be found at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/proposed-rule-implement-general-category-restricted-fishing-days-2021-atlantic-bluefin-tuna.​ Request For Comments​ NOAA Fisheries is requesting comments specifically on the need for RFDs in the 2021 fishing year and on the proposed RFD schedule for the 2021 fishing year.​ Submit comments by June 11, 2021:​ Written comments, identified by “NOAA-NMFS-2021-0040”, may be submitted electronically via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov. All comments received are a part of the public record and will generally be posted to http://www.regulations.gov without change. All Personal Identifying Information (for example, name, address, etc.) voluntarily submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. We will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only.​

 

[Roccus7]

Well, looks like another year that if I can land a big-azz tuna, it has to be set free...

NOAA Fisheries Closes the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Northern Area Trophy Fishery​ Fishermen aboard Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally) 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., May 11, 2021. The northern area is the area north of 39°18’ N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ).​ How long is the closure in effect?​ The Angling category fishery for trophy bluefin tuna will close effective 11:30 p.m., May 11, 2021, through December 31, 2021.​ Why is the fishery closing?​ Based on the best available landings information, the 1.8-mt Angling category northern area “trophy” bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater) subquota has been reached and exceeded.​ Who is affected?​ This action applies to HMS Angling category and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels fishing recreationally in the northern area (defined above). Note that the Angling category fishery for school, large school, or small medium bluefin tuna (27 to <73”) 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.​ Reporting​ 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 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.) This notice is a courtesy to fishery permit holders to help keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.​

 

[Old Mud]

The product of "Brainstorming". Anyway i miss the 90's when we had fishing days similar to that. I remember times loading up for two or so days , Bait, food etc and on channel 16 around noon you would hear " The fishing will close at 12:00 today" That was so they could "Count up the available quota" Ya just never knew when it was over.

Anyway just when i was thinking I had one more comm. season left in me. Now this do i feel like fishing 10' seas to catch a fish ? UGH.

 

[Roccus7]

On the road so I can’t cut and paste things, but this news should get @Old Mud excited.

General Tuna Permit limit will be THREE fish per day from June 1 to August

 

[Old Mud]

OMG !!!!! How am I going to make this sound like i'm not trying to kill the messenger ? Thanks Roccus..

That is a stupid (or ignorant) thing to do !! They did it before a few years ago and learned how useless those fish were. Racers, we use to call them. There is absolutely no common scene in a decision like that. IMO. I even think opening the fisheries in June is foolish. Everyone knows the fish are on the last leg of their annual migration to the feeding grounds. The are coming North to fatten up on Herring, they know were the herring are.

Oh boy oh boy, It scares me to think intelligent people are making these decisions. I can only shake my head and think Fish are smarter than people. I have to go work on my boat now before i go crazy.

 

[Roccus7]

OMG !!!!! How am I going to make this sound like i'm not trying to kill the messenger ? Thanks Roccus..

That is a stupid (or ignorant) thing to do !! They did it before a few years ago and learned how useless those fish were. Racers, we use to call them. There is absolutely no common scene in a decision like that. IMO. I even think opening the fisheries in June is foolish. Everyone knows the fish are on the last leg of their annual migration to the feeding grounds. The are coming North to fatten up on Herring, they know were the herring are.

Oh boy oh boy, It scares me to think intelligent people are making these decisions. I can only shake my head and think Fish are smarter than people. I have to go work on my boat now before i go crazy.

Hey just said you would get “excited”, and didn’t specify good excitement or agita.

 

[Roccus7]

Oy, our buddy @Old Mud is not going to be smiling. If anyone believes that the boats on Wicked Tuna actually make a living off of tuna, think again!!

July 8, 2021​

Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery: Commercial Daily Retention Limit Adjustment​ NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limit for the General category fishery. The adjusted limit will be in effect from July 11, 2021, through at least August 31, 2021.​ What is changing?​ The daily retention limit will decrease from three large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73” or greater) to one large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip.​ Who is affected?​ The changes apply to General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna. The daily retention limit is effective for all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.​ Catch reporting​ Dealers are required to submit landings reports within 24 hours of receiving bluefin. 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. Separate from the dealer reporting requirement, General 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:​ 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.). This notice is a courtesy to fishery participants to help keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.​

 

[Old Mud]

Oy, our buddy @Old Mud is not going to be smiling. If anyone believes that the boats on Wicked Tuna actually make a living off of tuna, think again!!

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​ July 8, 2021​

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​ Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery: Commercial Daily Retention Limit Adjustment​ NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limit for the General category fishery. The adjusted limit will be in effect from July 11, 2021, through at least August 31, 2021.​ What is changing?​ The daily retention limit will decrease from three large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73” or greater) to one large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip.​ Who is affected?​ The changes apply to General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna. The daily retention limit is effective for all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.​ Catch reporting​ Dealers are required to submit landings reports within 24 hours of receiving bluefin. 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. Separate from the dealer reporting requirement, General 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:​ 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.). This notice is a courtesy to fishery participants to help keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.​

Not smiling ? Me ?? Why i love it that they are down to 1 a day. I don't even think they should start the season until end of July. Fish will be fatter and we all know, worth more .

 

[Roccus7]

Poor @Old Mud , just got his boat in the water and made his first trip out and now he's shutdown until September...

August 3, 2021​

NOAA Fisheries Closes the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery (June through August 2021 Subquota Time Period)​ Fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic tunas General or Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permit may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna measuring 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length or greater) after 11:30 p.m., August 4, 2021.​ How long is the closure in effect?​ The General category bluefin tuna fishery will close effective 11:30 p.m., August 4, 2021. The fishery will re-open on September 1, 2021, with a daily retention limit of one fish per vessel.​ Why is this change being made?​ Based on the best available landings information, the General category June through August subquota of 277.9 mt will be reached shortly.​ Who is affected?​ This action applies to all vessels permitted in the Atlantic Tunas General category and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat category (with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna).​ Reporting​ Atlantic tunas General, Harpoon, and HMS Charter/Headboat category vessel owners are required to report 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.) This notice is a courtesy to fishery participants to help keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.​

 

[Old Mud]

Yep they did it. That's much like the did 20 years ago. Open it on 1 June and close it around mid to end of July to count it up. Then Open in Sept till near the end or the quota was caught for that period. Then open it again 1 Oct. to finish it off.. All planned just as now. You see even with all of the technology we have in this world and with the reporting the "Buyers and Agents" have to do not to add now the fishermen also have to report the same fish. All within 24 hours.

But seems we just can't count very well, accurately, or keep pace. Ugh.

My boat was on the hard by choice. We all know the fish are skinny racers until the fatten up. Usually a month or two. Most fishermen i know Agree they shouldn't start the season till at least August. I agree and said that's what i would do. (Along with others). Well now, You might have guessed how that turned out. The fish came up and right off our back yard. Yes the were skinny. Yes everyone went out and caught em up. And so on and so forth and Skooby Dooby Doby !!.

 

[Roccus7]

Yep they did it. That's much like the did 20 years ago. Open it on 1 June and close it around mid to end of July to count it up. Then Open in Sept till near the end or the quota was caught for that period. Then open it again 1 Oct. to finish it off.. All planned just as now. You see even with all of the technology we have in this world and with the reporting the "Buyers and Agents" have to do not to add now the fishermen also have to report the same fish. All within 24 hours.

But seems we just can't count very well, accurately, or keep pace. Ugh.

My boat was on the hard by choice. We all know the fish are skinny racers until the fatten up. Usually a month or two. Most fishermen i know Agree they shouldn't start the season till at least August. I agree and said that's what i would do. (Along with others). Well now, You might have guessed how that turned out. The fish came up and right off our back yard. Yes the were skinny. Yes everyone went out and caught em up. And so on and so forth and Skooby Dooby Doby !!.

OMG, it just got WORSE!!!

August 6, 2021​

Final Rule​ NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule regarding the use of restricted-fishing days (RFDs) in the Atlantic Tunas General category and HMS Charter/Headboat fisheries. The first RFD will be on September 3, 2021; RFDs will continue through November 30, 2021.​ What will it do?​ NOAA Fisheries establishes an RFD schedule of every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from September through November for the 2021 fishing year. Daily commercial bluefin tuna retention limits will be set tto zero on those days. This means that Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels cannot fish (including catch-and-release and tag-and-release), possess, retain, land, or sell a bluefin tuna of any size class on an RFD. HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels can fish for, possess, retain, or land bluefin tuna recreationally under applicable HMS Angling category rules, but cannot commercially fish for or land a bluefin tuna on an RFD. Throughout the season, NOAA Fisheries may waive certain RFDs by increasing the bluefin tuna retention limit for those days; however, NOAA Fisheries will not modify RFDs in other ways (e.g., switching days, adding RFDs).​ Who is affected?​ This action could affect:​ Any Atlantic Tunas General category or HMS Charter/Headboat permit holder fishing commercially for bluefin tuna. Any dealers who buy or sell Atlantic bluefin tuna. Some Atlantic bluefin tuna tournaments that are open to participation by Atlantic Tunas General category permit holders.

More information can be found in the Federal Register Notice, on the NOAA Fisheries website and within the Compliance Guide.​

 

[Old Mud]

Yeah they have been dreaming of RFD's for a few years now. I'm pretty much thinking that's the nail in the coffin. The wisdom to start out the season with 3 fish a day, Junk fish. Then work down to 1 a day the RFD's when the weather turns to crap for the small boat fisheries is Way more than i can understand. Wanna buy a Tuna boat ?