catch-limit · atlantic hms · bluefin · Published 2020-10-13 · Effective 2020-10-08 · 85 FR 64411
Document
Document number
2020-22659
Federal Register citation
85 FR 64411
Type
Rule
Action
Temporary rule; quota transfer and closure.
Category
catch-limit
Region
atlantic hms
Species
bluefin
Publication date
2020-10-13
Effective date
2020-10-08
NOAA docket
Docket No. 180117042-8884-02
Abstract
NMFS transfers 40 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the October through November 2020 General category subquota period and closes the General category fishery until the General category reopens on December 1, 2020. The quota transfer is intended to provide additional fishing opportunities based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments and applies to Atlantic tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Charter/Headboat category permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. Given that the adjusted quota is projected to be caught quickly, the closure is being filed simultaneously to prevent overharvest of the adjusted General category October through November 2020 BFT subquota.