Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery Closure

NOAA Fisheries announces the closure of the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery. Fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic tunas General or Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna after 11:30 p.m. September 27, 2020, and through September 30, 2020.

Based on the best available landings information, the adjusted 195.6-mt quota for the September time period will be reached shortly.

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).

The General category bluefin tuna fishery will reopen on October 1, 2020, with the default daily retention limit of one fish per vessel.