Federal regulators have announced commercial fishing for giant bluefin tuna in the Atlantic will close Wednesday night due to the amount of fish that have been caught in the first quarter of 2023.
According to a post from NOAA Fisheries on Monday, based on the best available landings information, the adjusted 58.2-mt quota for the January through March time period has been reached and exceeded.
Commercial fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic Tunas General category or HMS Charter/Headboat permit may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna from 11:30 p.m. February 14, through March 31, 2023.
The closure does not impact recreational vessels.
Atlantic Tunas General, Harpoon, and HMS Charter/Headboat category vessel owners are required to report all bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of the landing(s) or end of each trip by:
- Accessing the HMS Permit Shop.
- Using the HMS Catch Reporting app.
- Calling 888-872-8862 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.).
