Bluefin retention limit quadrupled for summer

[newsman]

The National Marine Fisheries Service announces today that it is quadrupling the day/trip retention limit from one to four medium or large Atlantic bluefin tuna for the summer. Details at http://www.examiner.com/article/summer-atlantic-bluefin-tuna-catch-quota-quadrupled-to-four-fish

[Capt. Lou]

Never thought I'd see the day, sure its not in error!!!:cool::D

[BigChalupa]

Just to clarify, the general category daily retention limit applies to vessels permitted in the commercial Atlantic tunas general category and the Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category while fishing commercially.

For the recreational guys, it is still a 2 fish limit as outlined in the link below...

https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/News.asp#news308

[Sea Soda Sport Fishing]

I'm very proud of you jerry! Best of luck this year!

[stugots]

So to clarify for recreational bft we need a permit? And is it still the over/under 73 inches?

[Capt. Lou]

I believe this is the case , nothing's changed for sport anglers or non commercial
anglers.

[Sharkyispy]

I believe this is the case , nothing's changed for sport anglers or non commercial
anglers.

Based on the announcement made...true but not for rec's/sport anglers as was already posted here...

[Dino]

@ stugots Yes you need an HMS permit for any sharks or tuna. this year you get 1 over, and 1 under. charter boats that have an HMS permit in that category get 1 over, and 2 unders. An over is 47 to 73 inches. and under is 27 to <47 inches. good luck !


2014 Recreational Atlantic Tunas Retention Limits
Effective May 8, the bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limits are increased from the default of 1 BFT measuring 27-<73" to the following. For HMS Angling-permitted vessels: 1 school BFT (27 to <47") + 1 large school/small medium BFT (47-<73"). For HMS Charter/Headboat-permitted vessels: 2 school BFT (27 to <47") + 1 large school/small medium BFT (47-<73"). These limits are effective for all areas except the Gulf of Mexico. The recreational BFT trophy fishery (73"+) is closed for the southern area (for landings south 39°18’N, i.e., south of Great Egg Inlet, NJ), but is open for the northern area (for landings north of Great Egg Inlet, NJ) with a limit of 1 BFT measuring 73" or greater/vessel/year.

[stugots]

Thanks for clarifying dino!!