Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Angling Category Retention Limit Adjustment

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

Temporary rule; retention limit adjustment.

NMFS has determined, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit that applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally for BFT) should be adjusted for the remainder of 2025, or until further modified. NMFS is adjusting the Angling category BFT daily retention limit from the default of one school, large school, or small medium BFT to: one school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for private vessels with HMS Angling permits; two school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT; and two school BFT and zero large school/small medium BFT per vessel per day/trip for headboat vessels with HMS Charter/ ( printed page 23458) Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited.

Effective June 3, 2025 through December 31, 2025 or until NMFS via a notice in the Federal Register announces another adjustment to the retention limit.