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2020 Atlantic Bluefish Interim Recreational Management Measures

February 28, 2020

NOAA Fisheries announces interim recreational management measures for the Atlantic bluefish fishery. These measures are needed to prevent overfishing on the bluefish stock, which was declared overfished in late 2019.

The interim regulations reduce the per-angler daily possession limit (also known as bag limit). These measures apply to all vessels fishing for bluefish in federal waters from Maine through Florida:

Private Recreational Vessels – Bag limit of three fish per person.

For-Hire Vessels (Party/Charter Permitted vessels) – Bag limit of five fish per person.

All other management measures, including minimum size and recreational seasons, remain unchanged. These interim measures are temporary while final 2020 specifications and management measures undergo the full notice and comment rulemaking process.

Last updated by Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office on June 17, 2020