Federal Register #2026-10816

NMFS Adjusts Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Retention Limits (Regulatory Action)

This notice from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA under the Commerce Department, announces a regulatory adjustment to Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limits for the Angling category: - No procurement of products or services is involved; this is a regulatory action - No Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) or vendors are mentioned - The rule sets new daily retention limits for vessels with Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and Charter/Headboat permits: - Private vessels: up to 2 BFT per day/trip - Charter boats: up to 3 BFT per day/trip - Headboats: up to 6 BFT per day/trip - Only one large school/small medium-sized BFT per vessel per day/trip - These limits apply in all areas except the Gulf of America, where targeted BFT fishing is prohibited - The adjustment is intended to provide equitable fishing opportunities, support scientific data collection, and ensure quotas are not exceeded - No products, part numbers, or quantities are being requested or procured

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is adjusting the daily retention limits for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) in the Angling category. The new limits allow private vessels with HMS Angling permits to retain two BFT per day/trip, charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits to retain three BFT, and headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits to retain six BFT, with size restrictions and limits on large school/small medium-sized fish. These adjustments are effective June 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, except in the Gulf of America where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited. The rule aims to provide reasonable opportunities to harvest the available quota while maintaining equitable fishing opportunities and supporting scientific data collection.

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