Federal Register #2026-14366

NOAA Quota Transfers for Atlantic Bluefin Tuna and Summer Flounder Fisheries Management

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is managing quota transfers for two major fisheries in 2026: - Government Buyer: - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Quota Transfers: - Atlantic Bluefin Tuna: - 6.4 metric tons transferred from the Reserve category to the Harpoon category - Adjusted Harpoon category quota: 65.6 metric tons - Adjusted Reserve quota: 1 metric ton - Applies to commercial vessels permitted under the Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category - Managed under the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan - Summer Flounder: - 12,719 pounds of commercial quota transferred from North Carolina to Virginia - Adjusted quotas: North Carolina at 2,907,006 lb; Virginia at 2,433,727 lb - Transfer is to repay out-of-state landings - OEMs and Vendors: - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved; this is a regulatory action, not a procurement - Products/Services Requested: - No products or services are being solicited or awarded - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Quota transfers are designed to optimize harvest opportunities and ensure compliance with fishery management plans - Actions are effective for the 2026 fishing season and are specific to regulatory management, not acquisition

Description

NMFS is transferring 6.4 metric tons of Atlantic bluefin tuna quota from the Reserve category to the Harpoon category, resulting in an adjusted Harpoon quota of 65.6 mt and a Reserve quota of 1 mt. This transfer aims to provide additional harvest opportunities for Harpoon category fishermen and applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels. The Harpoon category fishery will remain open until November 15, 2026, or until the adjusted quota is reached, whichever comes first. The transfer is effective from July 14, 2026, through November 15, 2026.

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