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Final Rule to Implement 2020-2021 Specifications and Recreational Management Measures for the Atlantic Bluefish Fishery

Overview

Fishery Management
Fishing Type
Commercial, Recreational
Affected Species
Action Status
Final Rule
Published
06/29/2020
Point of Contact
Cynthia Ferrio, Fishery Policy Analyst, (978) 281-9180

Summary

NOAA Fisheries implements revised specifications for the 2020 Atlantic bluefish fishery and projected specifications for fishing year 2021, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. These catch limits have been reduced to account for the results of the recent operational assessment and prevent overfishing on the now overfished bluefish stock.

The commercial total allowable landings are reduced by 25 percent, from 3.71 to 2.77 million pounds. The recreational total allowable landings are reduced by 39 percent, from 15.62 to 9.48 million pounds. The federal bluefish recreational fishery daily bag limit remains reduced from 15 to 3 fish per person for private anglers and to 5 fish per person for for-hire (charter/party) vessels as set forth in interim measures. All other recreational management measures and commercial management measures would remain unchanged from 2019.

This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels and other management measures to prevent overfishing, consistent with the most recent scientific information.

Bulletins

Revised 2020-2021 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications and Recreational Management Measures

NOAA Fisheries announces revised 2020 and projected 2021 specifications and recreational management measures for the Atlantic bluefish fishery.
June 26, 2020 -

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on 04/22/2022