Proposed 2024 and Projected 2025 Atlantic Bluefish Specifications

NOAA Fisheries announces proposed specifications for the 2024 Atlantic bluefish fishery, and projected specifications for 2025, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. These proposed specifications were developed using the 2023 stock assessment and bluefish rebuilding plan, and would decrease all catch limits by at least 15 percent in 2024, followed by a projected increase of at least 25 percent in 2025. No changes to existing recreational management measures (such as bag limits) are included in these specifications. This action is necessary to establish allowable harvest levels to prevent overfishing while enabling optimum yield, using the best scientific information available.