New School Bluefin Limits

Relentless · 02-08-2008, 08:40 AM

I just got a notice from the HMS folks and they are changing the quota for school Bluefin Tuna for 2008. This is part of what was in the federal register.

Daily Retention Limits:
Pursuant to this action and the final 2008 BlueFin Tuna specifications, noted above, the BlueFin Tuna daily retention limit per vessel for the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category (while fishing recreationally) is:

One (1) BFT measuring 27 inches (68.6 cm) to less than 47 inches (119.4 cm), and
One (1) BFT measuring 47 inches (119.4 cm) to less than 73 inches (185.4 cm).
In the case of multi-day trips, the daily limit applies.
This action does not change the annual Angling category limit of one large medium or giant BFT (73 inches (185.4 cm) or greater) per vessel.

CaptDom · 02-08-2008, 10:27 AM

One less fish for the customer.....thankfully most guys who target bluefin have no problem with the fact that it will not be a "meat" trip to begin with. Let's hope some smaller fish show, as for me it was the smaller slot that was difficult to get, the 48-55 inch variety seemed the predominant catch in 2007 from most reports.

Relentless · 02-08-2008, 02:24 PM

Dom,

Exactly how I feel about it and my concerns are catching multiple 47" plus fish to find one <47 can be a bitch. I wish it was two fish of any combination from 27" to 73" and this would result in less fish being brought to the boat.

Dave

Riptide Charters · 02-08-2008, 03:49 PM

THose fish from last year will will all be mid 50" to 60" fish this year. Most sports don'trealize how much meat you get off a 100# tuna. I can't see keeping a fish from the short slot if you already have a 100# fish in the box even with 4 guys on the boat.

RI Popper · 02-08-2008, 06:55 PM

Those limits are actually a lot better than I thought they would be for this year considering the overfishing for bluefin that is going on in the eastern atlanitc.

Armand

Possum · 02-08-2008, 08:30 PM

Please find attached the email notice and Federal Register notice regarding a daily retention limit adjustment for the recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery.

Reel Draggin' Tackle · 02-08-2008, 08:41 PM

What really su&$ is trying to determine if that second fish is over 47 or under. Sometimes, its easy other times a 48 looks under 47... I agree with Dave, 2 between 27 and 73 is better to deal with.

RI Popper · 02-08-2008, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reel Draggin' Tackle

What really su&$ is trying to determine if that second fish is over 47 or under. Sometimes, its easy other times a 48 looks under 47... I agree with Dave, 2 between 27 and 73 is better to deal with.

I agree it would be easier for the angler but the year class they want protected is too specific

. But they could have made only 1 fish under 73 and that would have been terrible. Atleast we can keep a 36" schoolie.

Armand

blackhullcharters · 02-09-2008, 03:43 PM

Any word if they are looking into changing limits for charter/head boats
When fishing commercially ? (1 giant 73+ per day ??? )
As for fishing recreational,
Just my opinion,
But limit should have gone down to 1 per day @ 47+ for recs
and a separate limit for charter/head boats with 2
and I have no idea why any rec would want to keep 1 73 trophy per year.
1 47in fish per day, you get more than enough meat !

chainsaw42 · 02-10-2008, 09:27 PM

i agree that breaking the under 73 fish into two separate groups doesn't make a lot of sense. then again, i'm no marine biologist. and while i agree that a 48" fish yields a lot of meat, when it's me and three other guys on the boat, that leaves me with 1/4 fish to divide up among a lot of people that have gotten into the habit of expecting a few fresh steaks...in other words i can never believe how fast it disappears.

i think riptide is right though...if these fish put on another 4"-6" or so, then the average fish is going to be right around 100lbs and that is indeed a lot of meat. although i would prefer to be able to take two so i don't have to throw back that mortally wounded fish that was hooked through the eye and bleeding like crazy because i already have another fish in the box.

02-08-2008, 08:40 AM	#1
Relentless User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Marshfield, MA Posts: 475	New School Bluefin Limits I just got a notice from the HMS folks and they are changing the quota for school Bluefin Tuna for 2008. This is part of what was in the federal register. Daily Retention Limits: Pursuant to this action and the final 2008 BlueFin Tuna specifications, noted above, the BlueFin Tuna daily retention limit per vessel for the HMS Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category (while fishing recreationally) is: One (1) BFT measuring 27 inches (68.6 cm) to less than 47 inches (119.4 cm), and One (1) BFT measuring 47 inches (119.4 cm) to less than 73 inches (185.4 cm). In the case of multi-day trips, the daily limit applies. This action does not change the annual Angling category limit of one large medium or giant BFT (73 inches (185.4 cm) or greater) per vessel. __________________ Capt Dave Waldrip www.relentlesscharters.com

02-08-2008, 10:27 AM	#2
CaptDom User Gallery Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Blue Planet Posts: 963	One less fish for the customer.....thankfully most guys who target bluefin have no problem with the fact that it will not be a "meat" trip to begin with. Let's hope some smaller fish show, as for me it was the smaller slot that was difficult to get, the 48-55 inch variety seemed the predominant catch in 2007 from most reports. __________________ CAPT. DOM PETRARCA COASTAL CHARTERS SPORTFISHING NEWPORT, RI (401)-862-0358 www.coastalcharterssportfishing.com

02-08-2008, 02:24 PM	#3
Relentless User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Marshfield, MA Posts: 475	Dom, Exactly how I feel about it and my concerns are catching multiple 47" plus fish to find one <47 can be a bitch. I wish it was two fish of any combination from 27" to 73" and this would result in less fish being brought to the boat. Dave __________________ Capt Dave Waldrip www.relentlesscharters.com

02-08-2008, 03:49 PM	#4
Riptide Charters User Gallery Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bourne, MA Posts: 183	THose fish from last year will will all be mid 50" to 60" fish this year. Most sports don'trealize how much meat you get off a 100# tuna. I can't see keeping a fish from the short slot if you already have a 100# fish in the box even with 4 guys on the boat. __________________ Good Luck, Capt. Terry Nugent Riptide Charters www.riptidecharters.com

02-08-2008, 06:55 PM	#5
RI Popper User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: www.atlanticoffshorelures.com Posts: 1,141	Those limits are actually a lot better than I thought they would be for this year considering the overfishing for bluefin that is going on in the eastern atlanitc. Armand __________________ "Fish are a gift from God, by way of a good Lure" www.atlanticoffshorelures.com

02-08-2008, 08:41 PM	#7
Reel Draggin' Tackle User Gallery Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 431	What really su&$ is trying to determine if that second fish is over 47 or under. Sometimes, its easy other times a 48 looks under 47... I agree with Dave, 2 between 27 and 73 is better to deal with. __________________ Don't miss out on our VIP Specials, click to join We'll have some exclusive VIP specials starting real soon!

02-09-2008, 03:43 PM	#9
blackhullcharters NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wrentham Ma. Posts: 105	New limits Any word if they are looking into changing limits for charter/head boats When fishing commercially ? (1 giant 73+ per day ??? ) As for fishing recreational, Just my opinion, But limit should have gone down to 1 per day @ 47+ for recs and a separate limit for charter/head boats with 2 and I have no idea why any rec would want to keep 1 73 trophy per year. 1 47in fish per day, you get more than enough meat ! __________________ Capt. Ronnie Team Ave Maria www.blackhullcharters.com

02-10-2008, 09:27 PM	#10
chainsaw42 NBS Member User Gallery Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 133	i agree that breaking the under 73 fish into two separate groups doesn't make a lot of sense. then again, i'm no marine biologist. and while i agree that a 48" fish yields a lot of meat, when it's me and three other guys on the boat, that leaves me with 1/4 fish to divide up among a lot of people that have gotten into the habit of expecting a few fresh steaks...in other words i can never believe how fast it disappears. i think riptide is right though...if these fish put on another 4"-6" or so, then the average fish is going to be right around 100lbs and that is indeed a lot of meat. although i would prefer to be able to take two so i don't have to throw back that mortally wounded fish that was hooked through the eye and bleeding like crazy because i already have another fish in the box.

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