Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Quotas and Atlantic Tuna Fisheries Management Measures

NMFS is modifying Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) base quotas for all domestic fishing categories; establishing BFT quota specifications for the 2011 fishing year; reinstating pelagic longline target catch requirements for retaining BFT in the Northeast Distant Gear Restricted Area (NED); amending the Atlantic tunas possession-at-sea and landing regulations to allow removal of Atlantic tunas tail lobes; and clarifying the transfer-at-sea regulations for Atlantic tunas. This action is necessary to implement recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as required by the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act (ATCA), and to achieve domestic management objectives under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).