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| NMFS Announces Final Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas and Effort Controls |
| The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces the final rule to establish the 2009 fishing year quotas for the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery and effort controls based on the reduced 2009 western Atlantic BFT Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and resulting total U.S. quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) (see attached table). In addition to establishing quotas, in accordance with the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan (Consolidated HMS FMP), this final rule makes underharvest adjustments, as necessary, for the 2009 fishing year (January 1- December 31, 2009). |
| NMFS Proposes 2009 Atlantic BFT Quotas and Effort Controls |
| The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes 2009 fishing year quotas for the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery and effort controls based on the reduced 2009 western Atlantic BFT Total Allowable Catch (TAC) and resulting total U.S. quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) (see attached table). The TAC is intended to rebuild the stock consistent with the BFT rebuilding program and end overfishing by 2010. |
| 2009 Vessel Permit Notice |
| 2009 Vesel Permits are now available |
| Green-stick Gear Fact Sheet |
| This notice describes the authorized use of green-stick gear in Atlantic HMS fisheries. |
| Approved Sea Turtle Release Equipment List |
| NMFS Announces the Availability of a Revised List of Approved Equipment Models for the Careful Release of Sea Turtles Caught in Hook and Line Fisheries |
| Final Rule: Green-stick Authorization, etc. |
| NMFS announces the final rule that authorizes green-stick gear for the harvest of Atlantic tunas, including bluefin tuna, and requires a sea turtle control device in Atlantic Highly Migratory Species pelagic longline and bottom longline fisheries. The final rule also includes a revised list of approved equipment models for the careful release of sea turtles caught in hook and line fisheries. |
| Tuna Trolling and Whales |
| Recent evidence show that tuna fishing lines, trolled through areas where both tuna and whales are feeding, have hooked the wrong species. The strong lines and sharp hooks, necessary for catching large tuna, can dig into blubber of these unintended targets, possibly causing harm to the whale and is a violation of federal law. All whales, dolphins and porpoises in the northeast region are federally protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) and most large whales in the area are further protected under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Under these Acts, it is illegal to "harass, hunt, capture or kill" any marine mammal. Prohibited conduct includes any "negligent or intentional act which results in the disturbing or molesting of marine mammals." The operational procedures are located in full at: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/prot_res/mmv/ |
| Reminder about Charterboat, Headboat, and Commercial Permits |
| NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) wants to remind fishermen there are several federal regulations regarding fishing for dolphin and wahoo in federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean (Maine through the east coast of Florida). |
| 2008 Atlantic Tunas Regulations Brochure |
| Summary of Fishery Information and Regulations for Atlantic Tuna Fisheries for January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2008 |
| NMFS Adjusts Recreational Bluefin Tuna Retention Limits |
| In response to recently available Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) recreational landings estimates from the 2007 fishing year, NMFS has determined that it is necessary to reduce the retention limit of large school/small medium BFT (measuring 47 to <73 inches curved fork length) from 2 fish to 1 fish. |
| 2007/2008 HMS Compliance Guide |
| Most recent guide to commercial and recreational rules for HMS fisheries |
| 2008 Final BFT Quota Specification and Effort Contols |
| The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces a final rule to set the 2008 fishing year quotas for the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) fishery and effort controls, based on the quota recommended for the United States by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). |
| Guide to the Tunas of the Western Atlantic Ocean |
| Field guide to help identify the various species of Atlantic tunas |
| Atlantic HMS and Atlantic Tunas Permit Category Description |
| Provides a brief explanation of each Atlantic HMS and Atlantic tunas permit category, including authorized gears. |
| HMS Tournament Registration Form |
| A tournament operator must notify NMFS of the purpose, dates, and location of the tournament conducted from a port in an Atlantic coastal state, including the U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, at least 4 weeks prior to commencement of the tournament. |
| Paperwork Reduction Act Statements |
| Paperwork Reduction Act Statements for Annual Atlantic Tunas Permitting and Mandatory Catch Reporting of Bluefin Tuna |
| Large Pelagics Survey Bluefin Tuna Length Validation Assessment |
| Large Pelagics Survey Bluefin Tuna Length Validation Assessment Paper Submitted to ICCAT |
| Atlantic HMS Angling and Charter/Headboat Permit & Recreational Reporting Requirements |
| This pamphlet provides a brief summary of recreational HMS regulations as of March 2006. For the complete and official set of regulations, call the Highly Migratory Species Management Division at 301-713-2347. If there is a discrepancy between the regulations and this brochure, the regulations will take precedence. |
| Atlantic bluefin tuna size classes |
| A table of the bluefin size classes and associated lengths and approximate weights. |
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