The Atlantic bluefish fishery in the United States operates from Maine to Florida. Bluefish are highly migratory along the United States Atlantic coast and seasonally move. The bluefish fishery uses predominantly gillnets, but other gear also includes hook and line, pound nets, seines, and trawls. The recreational fishery accounts for the majority of the bluefish total catch each year. The market for bluefish is for human consumption and is primarily sold fresh or smoked.
Implementing regulations are found at 50 CFR part 648 subpart J. Find out more about Managing Sustainable Fisheries in the Greater Atlantic Region.
Stock Assessment and Fishery Evaluation (SAFE) reports are documents or sets of documents that summarize the best scientific information available for federally managed fish stocks. This includes information concerning the biological condition of stocks and marine ecosystems, essential fish habitat (EFH), and the socioeconomic condition of commercial and recreational fisheries. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that SAFE reports be made available on a publicly accessible website to facilitate use of the information. Atlantic Bluefish SAFE report documents are available on the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's website.