Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries

Resumo

NMFS is transferring 9.5 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category and 20.2 mt from the Harpoon category to the General category for the remainder of the 2021 fishing year. The adjusted General category December subquota, Reserve category quota, and Harpoon category quota will be 39.1 mt, 2 mt, and 0 mt respectively. This action is intended to provide further opportunities for General category fishermen to participate in the December General category fishery, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments. This action would affect Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT.