The northern area trophy fishery for Atlantic Blue Tuna angling has now been closed for this year at 11:30 p.m., June 29, 2022. Fishermen aboard Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (while fishing recreationally) may not retain, possess, or land large medium, or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna in the northern area. This is any Atlantic Bluefin tuna that measures 73 inches curved fork length or greater. The northern area is the area north of 39°18’ N. lat. (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ).
This closure for the angling category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna will be closed from 11:30 p.m., June 29, 2022, all the way through to December 31, 2022. The fishery was closed based on the best available landings information. The 1.8 metric ton Angling category sub-quota for northern area “trophy” Atlantic bluefin tuna has been reached and exceeded for the year. This is for Atlantic bluefin tuna measuring 73 inches or greater.
This closure affects the following groups. HMS Angling category vessels; and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels fishing recreationally in the northern area north of 39°18’ N. lat. It should be noted though that the Angling category fishery for school, large school, or small medium (27 to <73”) Atlantic bluefin tuna remains open in all areas. With the exception of the Gulf of Mexico, which is designated as a bluefin tuna spawning ground. Due to this designation, NOAA Fisheries does not allow for the targeting of bluefin tuna in the Gulf.
Reporting
HMS Angling category and HMS Charter/Headboat category permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin 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.).
This notice is a courtesy to fishery permit holders to help keep you informed about the fishery. Official notice of Federal fishery actions is made through filing such notice with the Office of the Federal Register.
