NOAA Fisheries is adjusting Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits go into effect on May 2, 2021, and extend through December 31, 2021, unless modified by later action.

What is changing?

The table below summarizes the changes to the bluefin tuna retention limits.

Vessel/Permit Type	Default Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip	Adjusted Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip
Private vessels with a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category permit	1 school, large school, or small medium (27 to <73”)	2 school bluefin tuna (27 to <47”) 1 large school/small medium (47 to <73”)
Charter boats with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally	1 school, large school, or small medium	3 school 1 large school/small medium
Headboats with an HMS Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally	1 school, large school, or small medium	6 school 2 large school/small medium

 

Who is affected?

The changes apply to HMS Angling category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally. The daily retention limits are effective for all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna. 

Anglers may still catch and release or tag and release bluefin tuna of all sizes, subject to the requirements of HMS catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. All released bluefin tuna must be handled in a manner that will maximize survivability and without removing the fish from the water.

Catch reporting

HMS Angling category and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or the 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 participants 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.