For those taking advantage of this fishery pleae remember that NOAA has pulled the single 72"+ fish from the Angler Category.
You can still keep 2 "Under" and one "Over". 2 fish 27" to 47" and one fish 47" to 73". The "Trophy" category is done for "Angling" category permits.
NMFS Permit Shop News
BFT Recreational Trophy Fishery CLOSING May 21, 2020
NMFS is closing the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) Angling category fishery for large medium and giant "trophy" BFT (measuring 73" or greater) in the northern area (north of Great Egg Inlet, NJ) effective 11:30 p.m. local time, May 21, 2020, through December 31, 2020. The intent of this closure is to prevent further overharvest of the Angling category northern area trophy BFT subquota. NMFS closed the 2020 Angling category trophy fishery for the southern area and Gulf of Mexico effective February 20 and April 16, respectively. Therefore, as of May 21, 2020, the Angling category trophy BFT fishery is closed in all areas for 2020. Fishermen may catch and release or tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of HMS catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. NMFS regulations require that all BFT 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 available at
www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/. HMS Charter/Headboat and Angling category vessel owners are required to report the catch of all BFT retained or discarded dead, within 24 hours of the landing(s) or end of each trip, by accessing hmspermits.noaa.gov, using the HMS Catch Reporting App, or calling (888) 872-8862 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.).
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2020 Recreational Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Retention Limits
Effective May 2, 2020 through December 31, 2020, 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). The recreational northern area Angling category trophy fishery for bluefin measuring 73” and greater closes effective May 21 at 11:30 pm; the trophy fishery will be closed in all areas for the remainder of 2020. 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.
Adjustment to Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Recreational Daily Retention Limit for 2020
