Retention info??

[simonsez1]

This was emailed to me just now: The last couple lines don't sound like fun!
Kevin

Hello BBGFC Members and Friends!

Yesterday, there was a conference call for NMFS HMS Advisory Panel Members to discuss the Angling Category Bluefin Tuna Management options. The options up for consideration and discussion are below:

A. 1 school or large school BFT (1 BFT 27-59”) per day for all
B. 1 school BFT (27-47”) and 1 large BFT (47-59”) per day for all
C. Option A for private vessels and Option B for charter vessels

You will notice there is no option for small medium BFT (59-73”) as the 2010 Recreational sub quota appears to have already been landed in North Carolina. Further, the 2010 large medium/giant Angling Category sub quota appears to have been landed as well.

In approximately two weeks, the NMFS HMS Division expects to take an in season action and although it’s not in writing yet, it appears that there will be NO retention of small medium BFT (59-73”) and NO retention of medium/giant BFT (73” and larger) after that date for the remainder of 2010.

Best Regards,
Steven James

[BIGJAHOOTIE]

THAT SUCKS, GUESS I WONT BE BLUEFIN FISHING




JA-HOOTIE

[Reel Pursuit]

Well that blows. Not good news for the SS Tuna tourney if it goes thru.

[MFR]

that totally sucks

[amarshall]

If I'm reading this correctly charter boats can not keep giants?

[hotreels]

Interesting to see if this sticks. No trophy fish? Will be very telling if the General catogory gets an increase in daily limit.

[backman]

as a 15+ year rec I think option A is perfectly reasonable. We dealt with various slot limits in the past, allowed 27-47, but not larger during some parts of the year; then allowed 48-73 but not the smaller ones. I'd limit it even further to 43-59" as cutting up a 36" tuna is absurd.

In the past slot limits didn't stop me from fishing but it did affect where when and how I fished.

From a "meat for the crew" perspective - a nice 53"/80# fish is perfect for a 4 many crew. Perhaps a few less kibble and bits for the dock bass and a few less trips to give away fish, but not a huge deal to me.

[Tunacious-45]

I believe what this is saying is that charter headboat permit holders can not keep a "trophy" fish since that would fall under the angling category, but charter headboats can take up to 2 bluefin 73" plus while fishing commercially under the general category rules...

[KP161]

I believe what this is saying is that charter headboat permit holders can not keep a "trophy" fish since that would fall under the angling category, but charter headboats can take up to 2 bluefin 73" plus while fishing commercially under the general category rules...

Sounds like no trophy fish for recreational or charter boats as the quota designated for trophy fish has already been met this spring down south. A charter boat fishing commercially for the day would fall under commercial rules which right now is 3 fish day 73"+.

[chumtini]

Can someone explain this?

"Recreational sub quota appears to have already been landed in North Carolina."

If true, is that the ENTIRE quota? Or quota for S of the DMZ?

PS NMFS has realtime landings info all of a sudden? Something smells fishy and it ain't tuna