New BFT Rules

[Roccus7]

Here's the current rules for blue fin tuna caught from boats and for-hire rules:

NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits that apply to vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category (when fishing recreationally for bluefin tuna) effective April 26, 2018, through December 31, 2018. See below for detailed information regarding bag limits.

Quota Category and Vessel/Permit Type	Default Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip	Adjusted Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip	Effective Period of Adjusted Retention Limit
Angling category for private, HMS Angling category-permitted vessels	1 school, large school, or small medium bluefin tuna (27 to <73”)	2 school bluefin tuna (27 to <47”) and 1 large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”)	April 26-December 31, 2018
Angling category for HMS Charter/Headboat category-permitted vessels, when fishing recreationally	1 school, large school, or small medium bluefin tuna (27 to <73”)	3 school bluefin tuna (27 to <47”) and 1 large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”)	April 26 -December 31, 2018

Commercial folks are allowed 3 fish per day 73" and or greater.

Pretty soon folks, catch 'em up!!

 

[Louis D]

2018 ?

 

[Roccus7]

2018 ?

LOL, that’s what’s on their website as of this morning. Will recheck later.

 

[Roccus7]

My bad, here's this year's regs...

Rec private boats haven't changed year to year, and charter boats stayed the same also. Headboats got a big bump, double what the charter boats get. Once again, the "double standard", but at least as of now, we're all allowed one fish 73" or greater...

2019 Recreational Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Retention Limits
Effective May 11 through December 31, 2019, the BFT daily retention limits are the following.

For HMS Angling-permitted vessels: 2 school BFT (27 to <47") + 1 large school/small medium BFT (47 to <73");

for charter boats with HMS Charter/Headboat category permits, when fishing recreationally: 3 school BFT + 1 large school/small medium BFT;

and for head boats with HMS Charter/Headboat category permits, when fishing recreationally: 6 school BFT + 2 large school/small medium BFT.

These limits (which are per vessel per day/trip) are effective for all areas except the Gulf of Mexico. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip (e.g., whether a vessel takes a two-day trip or makes two trips in one day), no more than a single day’s retention limit may be possessed, retained, or landed. Angling and Charter/Headboat vessels may also land one bluefin tuna measuring 73" or greater per vessel per year north of 39°18’N (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ), as well as in the Gulf of Mexico. The trophy bluefin fishery for the southern area is closed.

The recreational yellowfin tuna retention limit is 3/person/day or trip. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack, or albacore tunas.