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 limits go into effect on June 1, 2023, and extend through
August 31, 2023, unless modified by later action.

What is changing?

The daily retention limit will increase from the default of one large medium or giant bluefin tuna (measuring 73” or greater) to three large medium or giant bluefin tuna 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.