Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Bluefin Tuna Landings Reporting

NMFS has determined that the State of Maryland has implemented regulations for reporting Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) landings in the recreational fishery that are mandatory, at least as restrictive as the Federal reporting requirements, and effectively enforced. Under Maryland law, participants in the recreational fishery who land BFT must report via the Maryland BFT landing card program. Therefore, recreational anglers who land BFT in the State of Maryland are exempt from the requirement to report BFT landings through NMFS' automated landings reporting system. All other Federal regulations applicable to Atlantic tunas continue to apply within the boundary of the State of Maryland. The intent of this action is to eliminate a Federal requirement that duplicates State regulations.