Pelagic Longline Bluefin Tuna Area-Based and Weak Hook Management Measures

NOAA Fisheries has adjusted regulatory measures put in place to manage bluefin tuna bycatch in the pelagic longline fishery for Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS), specifically addressing the Northeastern United States Closed Area, the Cape Hatteras Gear Restricted Area, and the Spring Gulf of Mexico Gear Restricted Area as well as the weak hook requirement in the Gulf of Mexico.

The new measures affect the HMS pelagic longline fishery in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Summary of Actions

Compliance Requirements

To comply with this rule, fishermen must take the following actions. These are in addition to other requirements for the pelagic longline fishery.

• NOAA Fisheries will continue to monitor the fishing locations of vessels via vessel monitoring systems (VMS) and monitor bluefin tuna catch via VMS set reports. Additionally, as of April 2, and as soon as VMS forms are updated by vendors (update currently in progress), vessels fishing with pelagic longline gear in the monitoring areas must select specific location codes when submitting set reports through their VMS systems:
  • Spring Gulf of Mexico Pelagic Longline Monitoring Area: Area 4
  • Northeastern United States Pelagic Longline Monitoring Area: Area 5
• Pelagic longline vessels fishing in the Gulf of Mexico are required to use weak hooks from January 1–June 30.

Area Map

Changes Since Draft Environmental Impact Statement

This rule includes minor clarifying changes from the DEIS and proposed rule for the Northeastern United States Closed Area and Spring Gulf of Mexico Gear Restricted Area. We included a provision to ensure that the threshold for the closure of the area effectively remains the same (percentage-wise) in the event that the U.S. allocation of bluefin tuna is reduced at ICCAT.

Another minor change that has been made since the DEIS clarified the timing of inseason closure notices that could occur in response to thresholds being met for the Northeastern United States Monitoring Area and the Spring Gulf of Mexico Monitoring Area.

Bluefin Tuna Catch Occurring During the Monitoring Periods of the Spring Gulf of Mexico and Northeastern United States Monitoring Areas

2020

(-) Denotes confidential data with less than three vessels consistent with MSA requirements

* Denotes the amount (lb) of bluefin tuna that can be caught (landings and dead discards) during each monitoring area period before the monitoring area is closed, as established in the final rule.

2021

(-) Denotes confidential data with less than three vessels consistent with MSA requirements

* Denotes the amount (lb) of bluefin tuna that can be caught (landings and dead discards) during each monitoring area period before the monitoring area is closed, as established in the final rule.

2022

(-) Denotes confidential data with less than three vessels consistent with MSA requirements

* Denotes the amount (lb) of bluefin tuna that can be caught (landings and dead discards) during each monitoring area period before the monitoring area is closed, as established in the final rule.