Closure: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category (Commercial) Fishery
Summary
Closure: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category (Commercial) Fishery
FISHERY: General Category Bluefin Tuna
CLOSED: August 17, 2023, 11:30 pm – August 31, 2023
REASON FOR CLOSURE:
Based on the best available landings information, the 355.4 mt quota is projected to be reached and exceeded shortly
PERMITS AFFECTED:
Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels and highly migratory species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna.
Commercial fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic Tunas General category or HMS
Charter/Headboat permit may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna from 11:30 p.m., August 17, 2023 through August 31, 2023. Previously-designated restricted-fishing days (RFDs) for the rest of the June through August time period will be waived when this closure takes effect.
RECREATIONAL: Not affected by this closure.
When is the fishery reopening?
The General category bluefin tuna fishery will reopen on September 1, 2023, with the default daily/trip retention limit of one fish per vessel. Commercial fishermen will not be able to land bluefin tuna on RFDs (every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday) beginning on September 1, 2023.
Reporting
Atlantic Tunas General and HMS Charter/Headboat category vessel owners are required to report all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of the landing(s) or 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.).