Quota Transfer: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery
Summary
Quota Transfer: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Fishery
NOAA Fisheries has transferred 59.5 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna quota from the Reserve category to the General category December time period. The resulting adjusted quotas are:
- General category December time period = 76 mt
- Reserve category = 2 mt
These quotas will be in effect when the fishery opens on December 1 and remain in effect for the remainder of the 2024 fishing year.
Who is affected?
This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna.
Catch reporting
Dealers are required to submit landing reports within 24 hours of receiving bluefin tuna. Late dealer reporting compromises NOAA Fisheries’ ability to implement actions such as quota and retention limit adjustments or fishery closures and may result in enforcement actions.
Separate from the dealer reporting requirement, General category permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of the landing(s) or end of each trip by:
- Accessing the Highly Migratory Species Permit Shop
- Using the Highly Migratory Species Catch Reporting app
- Calling 888-872-8862 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.)