NMFS final tuna Bluefin quotas 2011
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species News
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) announces a final rule regarding Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quotas and Atlantic tuna fisheries management measures.
The final rule:
(1) Implements and allocates the U.S. BFT quota recommended by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) for 2011 and 2012;
(2) Adjusts the 2011 U.S. BFT quota and subquotas to account for unharvested 2010 quota, and to account for a portion of the estimated 2011 dead discards up front;
(3) Reinstates pelagic longline target catch requirements for retaining BFT in the Northeast Distant Gear Restricted Area (NED);
(4) Amends the Atlantic tunas possession-at-sea and landing regulations to allow removal of tail lobes; and
(5) Clarifies the transfer-at-sea regulations for Atlantic tunas.
The BFT quotas (items 1 and 2 above) will be effective July 5, 2011. The other measures (items 3, 4, and 5) will be effective August 4, 2011.
