As of July 1, the 2009 fishing year landings of Lg Med/Giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (73" plus) are as follows: The Coastwide General Category has landed 37.8 mt out of 623.1.0 mt to date. Harpoon category: 16.0 mt out of 51.6 mt to date. Longline North: 12.8 mt out of 54.7 mt to date. Longline South: 44.5 mt out of 44.6 mt to date. Trap category: 0.0 mt out of 1.3 mt to date. Purse Seine category: 0.0 mt out of 246.0 mt to date. Landings updates will be made as necessary, Monday through Friday

The commercial daily bluefin tuna (BFT) retention for limit for General and HMS Charter/Headboat vessels (while fishing commercially) is 3 BFT/vessel/day/trip, measuring 73" or greater CFL. This limit effective through August 31, 2009. These BFT retention limits are effective for all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is designated as a spawning grounds for BFT and therefore NMFS does not allow vessels, commercial or recreational, to target BFT while fishing in this area.

The recreational daily bluefin tuna (BFT) retention for limit for HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat vessels (while fishing recreationally) is 1 BFT/vessel/day/trip, measuring 27 to less than 47”, and 1 BFT/vessel/day/trip, measuring 47 to less than 73" CFL. This limit effective through December 31, 2009. These BFT retention limits are effective for all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is designated as a spawning grounds for BFT and therefore NMFS does not allow vessels, commercial or recreational, to target BFT while fishing in this area. However, HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Heaboats are eligible to retain 1 BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per year as a “trophy” fish for the boat. This fish may be retained in the Gulf of Mexico if it is caught incidentally while pursuing other species. The recreational yellowfin tuna daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person/day/trip. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack or albacore tunas.

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). (VISIT THE LIBRARY FOR A FULL DESCIPTION OF THE QUOTAS AND RETENTION LIMITS

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 following operational procedures, located in full at: http://www.nero.noaa.gov/prot_res/mmv/are, intended to avoid harassment and possible injury to large whales commonly seen by vessels engaged in tuna fishing. These guidelines can help protect both you and the whales and keep you from accidentally violating federal law. ALWAYS approach areas of surface fish activity cautiously - marine mammals might be present. NEVER cast your line or set your gear near marine mammals. An increasing number of large whales have been observed with recreational gear attached to them. Prevent this from happening and set and/or troll your gear elsewhere. If a marine mammal approaches your gear, remove it from the water.

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 LIBRARY FOR FULL NOTICE). The TAC is intended to rebuild the stock consistent with the BFT rebuilding program and end overfishing by 2010. To view the proposed rule and supporting documents, see www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/breaking_news.htm. You may submit comments (identified by “0648-AV58”) by any one of the following methods: • Submit electronic comments via the Federal eRulemaking Portal http://www.regulations.gov • Fax: 978-281-9340, Attn: Sarah McLaughlin • Mail: Sarah McLaughlin, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, NMFS, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930

This notice outlines the procedure for obtaining a 2009 Atlantic Tunas Permit, which allows you to commercially fish for and/or retain Atlantic bluefin, yellowfin, skipjack, albacore, and bigeye tunas; an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit, which allows you to recreationally fish for and/or retain any regulated Atlantic HMS (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish, or billfish); or an HMS Charter/Headboat Permit, which is required by vessels taking fee paying passengers fishing for or retaining HMS. The permits issued for the 2009 season will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2009. The permit fee is $16.00, payable by credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover, or American Express) or check/money order. You will need your Atlantic tunas or your Atlantic HMS permit number to renew your permit for this up coming season. If you do not have your permit number from last year available, you may look it up at www.hmspermits.gov using your last name, phone number, and zip code, or a Customer Service representative may assist at the number below. Please check your current permit information carefully prior to renewing your permit. Please Note: Changes to you permit category may be made under the following circumstances: a) When you renew the permit for the upcoming season; b) Within 10-calendar days from the permits’ date of issuance, to correct any errors in permit category. If you have questions regarding the permit process, our Customer Service representatives are available at (888) 872 8862, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Time.

NMFS announces a final rule to authorize green-stick gear for harvest of Atlantic tunas, including bluefin tuna, in the Atlantic Tunas General, HMS Charter/Headboat, and Atlantic Tunas Longline categories. The gear authorization will become effective on October 23, 2008. In the final rule, NMFS also requires possession and use of a sea turtle control device in pelagic and bottom longline fisheries, which will become effective on January 1, 2009. At this time, NMFS is not authorizing harpoon gear for the harvest of Atlantic tunas in the HMS Charter/Headboat category as originally proposed. For more information, please see the Environmental Assessment and final rule which may downloaded at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/sfa/hms/index.htm (click on "Breaking News"). The notice of this action, a fact sheet describing authorized use of green-stick gear in HMS fisheries, and the revised list of approved sea turtle release equipment are posted in the LIBRARY.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) 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). Summary of requirements *Owners and operators of charter vessels, and headboats are required to have a federal vessel permit to fish for or possess dolphin and wahoo in the Atlantic Ocean. *The vessel operator must have an operator card on board the vessel along with one other form of personal identification that includes a picture (driver license, passport, etc.). *How to get a permit or operator card* If you are the owner of a vessel needing a vessel permit and operator card to fish for dolphin and wahoo, please contact the Permits Branch at the address listed below: NOAA Fisheries Service Southeast Regional Office Permits Branch 263 13th Avenue South St. Petersburg, Florida 33701 Phone: 727-824-5326; FAX: 727-551-5747 For a copy of the offical notice, visit the library

Regulations implemented under the authority of the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act governing the harvest of Highly Migratory Species (HMS), including tunas, sharks, swordfish, and billfish by persons and vessels subject to U.S. jurisdiction are found at 50 CFR part 635. Under these regulations vessels are required to posses a permit to fish for HMS, regardless of fishing recreationally or commercially. These permits are legally issued to ONLY those vessels that have a valid registration, which can be verified with the U.S. Coast Guard or by the issuing State. No temporary registrations are allowed. It is unlawful for any person or vessel subject to these regulations to falsify information required on the application, and if discovered the responsible parties may be prosecuted.

Effective October 17th, 2007, a new internet based reporting system for recreational non-tournament landings of North Atlantic swordfish and billfish will be available. All recreational non-tournament swordfish and billfish landings, including those from Charter/Headboats, must be reported by the permitted owner of the vessel landing the fish, or their designee, within 24 hours of landing. A landed fish means a fish that is kept and has been brought to shore. Vessels landing swordfish or billfish in North Carolina and Maryland must report their landings through the state landing card programs. Vessels landing swordfish or billfish in all other states, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, must report their landings using the new internet reporting portal at http://www.hmspermits.gov or by calling the 1-800-894-5528 reporting line.

The recreational daily swordfish retention limit is 1 fish per person, with a maximum of 4 fish per private vessel, 6 for a charter vessel, and 15 for a headboat vessel. The minimum size for swordfish within the recreational fishery is 47 inches, lower jaw-fork length. You may not keep longbill spearfish. There are no retention limits for Atlantic sailfish, blue marlin and white marlin, but the NOAA Fisheries encourages recreational anglers to release all billfish alive. The minimum sizes for billfish are as follows: Blue Marlin: 99 inches lower jaw fork length; White Marlin: 66 inches lower jaw fork length; Sailfish: 63 inches lower jaw fork length; Spearfish: Retention prohibited. Lower jaw fork length is a straight line measurement from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the caudal fin. The recreational limit on sharks is 1 shark per vessel per trip with a minimum size of 54 inches fork length; plus on Atlantic sharpnose shark per person per trip (no minimum size); plus 1 bonnethead shark per person per trip (no minimum size). None of these fish may be sold. Swordfish and billfish landed must be reported. For swordfish and billfish reporting, call 800-894-5528. For NC and MD landings call 410-213-1531 or 800-338-7804 respectively.

The Large Pelagics Survey (LPIS) collects length data on recreationally landed Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). The LPS Procedures Manual (prior to 2005) specified that interviewers should measure and record the straight fork length (SFL) of BFT, not the curved fork length (CFL) that is used to define size classes for management purposes. Recently, some members of the recreational and commercial fishing industry have questioned whether or not this procedure has been consistently followed in the field. Some individuals have reported seeing LPS interviewers measuring CFLs of landed BFT. Therefore, they have raised a concern that the interviewers may actually have been recording CFLs rather than SFLs. The CFL of a given fish is greater than its SFL by some small factor (typically between 1-5%). If such errors have occurred, then LPS estimates of landed weight of BFT by size category would most likely be positively biased since length data are converted to weights for landings estimates. This evaluation was conducted to: 1) determine the extent to which CFLs were mistakenly recorded, and the extent to which such errors may have biased the overall BFT landed weight estimate, and 2) investigate the effects that biased measurements could potentially have had on prior stock assessments.