The following is from a press release from NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Division dated March 22 and e-mailed to the public March 23:

NMFS Adjusts Bluefin Tuna Bag Limits for Recreatioal Anglers

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has adjusted the daily retention limts for Atlantic bluefin tuna for permitted vessels fishing in the Angling Category or the Charter/Head Boat Category. This adjustment is being done to provide research on the relationship between weight and length of bluefins at various sizes. The following retention limits are per vessel per day or trip.

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Off North Carlonia
March 24 through April 15, 2007
One bluefin tuna 27 inches to less than 47 inches curved fork length per vessel per day or trip.

The bluefins landed off North Carolina must be reported and tagged at a state reporting station. Call 800-228-7804 to locate the nearest reporting station.

All Areas
June 1, 2006, through May 31, 2007
Two bluefin tuna from 47 inches to less than 73 inches curved fork length per vessel per day or trip.

The above limits are in addition to one tropy bluefin tuna 73 inches or greater per year that may be landed by these anglers.

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NMFS may make additional adjustments to the retention limits to ensure available quota is not exceeded or for research purposes. For updates on adjustments or quota monitoring, visit http://www.hmspermits.gov or call the Atlantic Tuna Information Lines at 888-872-8862 or 978-281-9260.

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