Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries

NMFS has determined that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) General category daily retention limit should be adjusted to two large medium or giant BFT per vessel. NMFS has also determined that the BFT General category restricted fishing day (RFD) schedule should be adjusted; i.e., certain RFDs should be waived to allow for maximum utilization of the General category subquota for the September fishing period. Therefore, NMFS increases the daily retention limit from zero to two large medium or giant BFT on the following previously designated RFDs for 2001: September 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, and 12. NMFS has also determined that a quota transfer to allow continued fishing in the Harpoon category is appropriate, and therefore transfers 15 metric tons (mt) from the Reserve to the Harpoon category for the remainder of the 2001 fishing year.