NOAA is adjusting the daily retention limit for recreational fishermen for the Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category. Effective immediately, the limit will extend throughout the remainder of 2024 unless modified by later action.
The daily retention limits will apply to permitted Highly Migratory Species Angling and Charter/Headboat vessels when fishing recreationally. The limits are effective in all areas except the Gulf of Mexico due to NOAA’s restrictions on targeted bluefin tuna fishing.
As for catch reporting, permitted vessel owners are required to report retained bluefin tuna catch within 24 hours of landing or at the end of a trip. Reporting also applies to dead discards.
The table below, which is set to last until December 31st, 2024, summarizes the changes to the recreational bluefin tuna retention limits.
| Vessel/Permit Type | Default Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip | Adjusted Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip |
| Private vessels with a Highly Migratory Species Angling category permit | 1 school, large school, or small medium (27 to <73”) | 2 school (27 to <47”)
1 large school/small medium (47 to <73”)
|
| Charter boats with a Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally | 1 school, large school, or small medium | 3 school
1 large school/small medium |
| Headboats with a Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit fishing recreationally | 1 school, large school, or small medium | 12 school
2 large school/small medium |
