2021 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications

NOAA Fisheries announces specifications for the 2021 Atlantic bluefish fishery, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. This action does not change the acceptable biological catch or commercial quota in 2021 from 2020, but does include a reduction of 1.14 million pounds in the recreational harvest limit to account for higher recreational discards in 2019 than initially projected. There are no changes to any other management measures of the fishery, including the daily recreational bag limits of 3 fish per person for private anglers and to 5 fish per person for for-hire (charter/party) vessels, which remain in place. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information.