Atlantic Tuna Fisheries; Archival Tag Recovery

NMFS issues this interim final rule to allow the retention, possession, and landing of Atlantic bluefin tunas (ABTs) in which an archival tag has been implanted. Data recovery from archival tags requires that fish be harvested and the tag removed. In the event a fish with an archival tag is captured, applicable regulations could require its immediate release under certain conditions, such as the closure of the ABT season for a permit category. In order to provide for maximum likelihood of data recovery, NMFS exempts the harvest of fish with archival tags from applicable release requirements provided NMFS is notified prior to, or at the time of, landing and, as instructed, the tag is removed and returned to NMFS or the fish is made available so that it may be inspected and the tag recovered.