Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NMFS is adjusting the Angling category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit from the default of one school, large school, or small medium BFT to: two BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL), only one of which can be large school/small medium- sized fish (47 inches (119 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL) for private vessels with Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category permits; three BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT; and six BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited.
Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 50 CFR Part 635 [Docket No. 220919-0193; RTID 0648-XF784] AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Temporary rule; retention limit adjustment. SUMMARY: NMFS is adjusting the Angling category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit from the default of one school, large school, or small medium BFT to: two BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL), only one of which can be large school/small medium-sized fish (47 inches (119 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL) for private vessels with Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category permits; three BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT; and six BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited. DATES: Effective June 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, or until NMFS via a notice in the Federal Register announces another ad…
Other Federal Register documents from the same docket.
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Harpoon Category Retention Limit Adjustment
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Gulf of America Trophy Fishery for 2026
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Longline Category Quota Transfer
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the General Category January Through March Fishery for 2026
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Southern Area Trophy Fishery for 2026
Citation: 91 FR 31981
