Final Rule to Set Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Effort Controls and Clarify Related Regulations

NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule that will affect General category and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit holders as well as permitted dealers and dealer’s agents.

What will it do?

• Establish the following days as restricted fishing days (i.e., no retention of bluefin tuna)
  • For 2024: every Sunday, Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from July 1 through November 30, 2024.
  • Establish a default restricted fishing day schedule for every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from July 1 through November 30 for future years.
• Establish two General category default daily retention limits for open days:
  • 3 Large medium or giant bluefin tuna in June.
  • 1 Large medium or giant bluefin tuna for January through March and July through December.
• Clarify the applicable dealer and General category participant regulations regarding dealer tags and possession and sale of bluefin tuna on a restricted fishing day.

Who is affected?

• Any Atlantic Tunas General category permit holder or Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit holder fishing commercially for bluefin tuna.
• Any dealer who buys or sells Atlantic bluefin tuna.
• Operators of, and participants in, Atlantic bluefin tuna tournaments that are open to participation by Atlantic Tunas General category permit holders and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit holders with a commercial sale endorsement.

Fishermen should continue to follow all other relevant fishery regulations summarized in the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species compliance guides.

For further information, contact Larry Redd, Jr., larry.redd@noaa.gov; Erianna Hammond, erianna.hammond@noaa.gov; or call 301-427-8503.