Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Bluefin Tuna Catch Reporting

NMFS has determined that the State of Maryland has implemented regulations for reporting of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) landings in the recreational fishery that are mandatory, at least as restrictive as the Federal reporting requirements, and effectively enforced. Therefore, participants in the recreational fishery who land BFT in the State of Maryland are exempt from calling in their catch through NMFS' automated catch reporting system and must report their catch via the Maryland BFT landing tag program. All other Federal regulations applicable to Atlantic tunas still apply within the boundary of the State of Maryland.