Fishery Closure - Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Northern Area Trophy Fishery
Summary
Fishermen aboard Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (while fishing recreationally) may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater) in the northern area after 11:30 p.m., June 29, 2022. The northern area is the area north of 39°18’ N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ).
How long is the closure in effect?
The Angling category fishery for trophy bluefin tuna will close effective 11:30 p.m., June 29, 2022, through December 31, 2022.
Why is the fishery closing?
Based on the best available landings information, the 1.8-mt Angling category northern area “trophy” bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater) subquota has been reached and exceeded.
Who is affected?
This action could affect:
- HMS Angling category vessels; and
- HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels fishing recreationally in the northern area (defined above).
Note that the Angling category fishery for school, large school, or small medium bluefin tuna (27 to <73”) remains open in all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, which is designated as bluefin tuna spawning grounds and where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.
Reporting
HMS Angling category and HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin 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.).
This notice is a courtesy to fishery permit holders 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.