How long is the closure in effect?
The General category bluefin tuna fishery will close effective 11:30 p.m., August 4, 2021. The fishery will re-open on September 1, 2021, with a daily retention limit of one fish per vessel.
Why is this change being made?
Based on the best available landings information, the General category June through August subquota of 277.9 mt will be reached shortly.
Who is affected?
This action applies to all vessels permitted in the Atlantic Tunas General category and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat category (with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna).
Reporting
Atlantic tunas General, Harpoon, and HMS Charter/Headboat category vessel owners are required to report all bluefin tuna 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.
More information can be found in the Federal Register Notice.
