Winter Bluefin Association - Southeast Coast

General Category 3 Fish Bag Limit Extended and Restricted Fishing Days waived for January
The daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit for vessels fishing under the General category quota will remain at 3 large medium or giant BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per day/trip through the month of January. In addition all previously scheduled Restricted Fishing Days (RFDs) are waived. These actions are being taken to enhance commercial General category BFT fishing opportunities for all geographic areas. Starting on February 1, 2007, the coastwide General category BFT fishery will be closed for the remainder of the 2006 season, i.e. through May 31, 2007. Persons aboard vessels permitted in the Atlantic Tunas General category may catch and release or tag and release BFT of all size classes while the General category is closed. All BFT should be released, or tagged and released, with a minimum of injury.

ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA LANDINGS
NOTE: As of 12/28/2006 fishing year landings of Atlantic bluefin tuna are as follows: The Coastwide General Category has landed 145.1 mt out of 1163.3 mt to date. The Harpoon category closed at: 22.2 mt. Longline North: 26.6 out of 150.4 mt to date. Longline South: 3.1 mt out of 117.8 mt to date. Purse Seine: 3.6 mt out of 624.1 mt to date. Landings updates will be made as necessary.

General Category 3 Fish Bag Limit Extended and Restricted Fishing Days waived for December
The daily Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit for vessels fishing under the General category quota has been raised to 3 large medium or giant BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per day/trip through the month of December. In addition all previously scheduled Restricted Fishing Days (RFDs) are waived. These actions are being taken to enhance commercial General category BFT fishing opportunities for all geographic areas. On January 1, 2006, the retention limit is scheduled to revert to one BFT per vessel and all scheduled RFDs for the month of January remain as published in the Final BFT quota and effort controls specifications. Additional inseason adjustments may be made, as necessary.

WBA Annual Meeting
TBA

Recent letters to NMFS-Dec 2005
Requesting lifting RFD Days as of Jan 16, 2006 Requesting lifting RFD Days as of Jan 3, 2006 Lifting RFD Days as of Dec 13, 2005 BFT Updates to NMFS as of Dec 9, 2005

Tuna Associations Letters to Dr. Hogarth Dec. 3, 2005
The Four Tuna Groups Send Letter to Dr. Hogarth Another Response-Tuna Associations-Letter to Dr. Hogarth

WBA Responses to NMFS Proposals
WBA Responses to FMP BFT WBA Responses to FMP