Fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic Tunas General or Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permit may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna after 11:30 p.m., September 23, 2021 through September 30, 2021. Previously designated restricted-fishing days for the remainder of September will be waived when this closure takes effect.
How long will the closure be in effect?
The General category October through November fishery will begin October 3, 2021, as October 1st and 2nd are restricted-fishing days. The retention limit will be one fish per vessel. Previously scheduled restricted-fishing days will continue on every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday through November 30, 2021.
Why is this change being made?
Based on the best available landings information, the adjusted 207.3-mt quota for the September time period is projected to be reached shortly.
Who is affected?
This action applies to all vessels permitted in the Atlantic Tunas General category and Atlantic HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (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.
