Word around town is that there will not be any recreation tuna allowed to be kept this year. WTF.....

Another huge blow to the local economy. When will it end?

This will shut down most of the charter community on the cape and all the monies that are injected into the local economy will vanish depressing an already depressed area economically. Unreal. Hopefully it just stays a rumor.

They are selling permits for rec and comm now.

Also, the "charter community" should be under the HMS charter/headboad permit which allows both comm or rec uses.

I would think that if the charter community would not be that effected by a rec shut down to much. Go fishing for 73" fish and release everything smaller.

I had a question about the lic's and what the limits were and emailed the permit shop. They got back to me with this number which might be helpful to flush this out.: (I had not called them yet but if you do let me know what they say)

Dear Jim,

Please call the Northeast Regulatory Office at 978-281-9260 for answers to your regulation questions.

Thank you,

NMFS Permit Shop

sux ..
The Meek Shall Inherit the Earth and The Crabs Shall Inherit the Tuna ... via whole dead fish and racks from the world of fillet and release.

I've not heard anything like this. Right now recreational permits are being sold under the understanding that the rec limit will be one fish per day per vessel between 27" and 73" and one fish per vessel per year above 73" as a trophy fish.

Not sure if the confusion comes from the fact that all BFT caught before June 1 are catch and release only. After June 1 the regs above apply.

I know a lot of long time tuna fishermen and no one has heard this. I can't imagine that permits would be sold under these regs and then changed during the season, but who knows. I'm wondering where this rumor began...what's the source?

I know a lot of long time tuna fishermen and no one has heard this. I can't imagine that permits would be sold under these regs and then changed during the season, but who knows. I'm wondering where this rumor began...what's the source?


This was a big topic of discussion a the Stellwagon Bank Charter Boat Association Meeting last night.

The regs are always subject to change, no matter what they were when they sold them. They've changed the regs mid-season many times in the past.

This was a big topic of discussion a the Stellwagon Bank Charter Boat Association Meeting last night.

The regs are always subject to change, no matter what they were when they sold them. They've changed the regs mid-season many times in the past.



I was there !
Some change is coming for sure. Recs went 3.5 times over their quota.
They think a shortened season or no retention at all.
There is a meeting mid may .

I'm going to try to keep from getting too worked up on this one until we get some more information.

Does anyone know from what source the rumor originated? Has this topic been discussed by federal officials in any public meetings? Just curious.

I was there !
Some change is coming for sure. Recs went 3.5 times over their quota.
They think a shortened season or no retention at all.
There is a meeting mid may .


How can recs end up 3.5 times over the quota? I'm not educated at all on how Tuna fishing is regulated because I don't do it but would hope that the season could be closed more quickly if needed. 3.5 times over quota is alot and I would imagine would represent a long period of fishing past what may have been appropriate. Were those reponsible to regulatine it even paying attention to what was being caught?

I was there !
Some change is coming for sure. Recs went 3.5 times over their quota.
They think a shortened season or no retention at all.
There is a meeting mid may .

What was the Recreational tuna quota? As has been stated here many times, Comms consistently come in far under their quota so then what's the big deal if Recs go over.

Just like with striped bass, I have to imagine that estimating the recreational catch of tuna involves just as much fuzzy math and pseudo-science, depending on who's doing the study and which industry lobbies hardest with them.

What was the Recreational tuna quota? As has been stated here many times, Comms consistently come in far under their quota so then what's the big deal if Recs go over.

Just like with striped bass, I have to imagine that estimating the recreational catch of tuna involves just as much fuzzy math and pseudo-science, depending on who's doing the study and which industry lobbies hardest with them.

Should be firmer, especially if everyone is reporting their fish!

I think alot of guys over reported fish last year because it was assumed that if the US didn't hit quota then it would be passed on to another country. I know of guys who reported every released fish. Add in the fuzzy math to a radical run NOAA and bingo, shut it down.

The Commercial guys would be pleased, until they are the next ones screwed. All part of a plan.......

Fuzzy math, non landed fish reported, BS voodoo math and scientists trying to keep their jobs, and a few people who have agendas and political backing= bad news.

What's next if this is true; deer hunting with paint ball guns?

Fuzzy math, non landed fish reported, BS voodoo math and scientists trying to keep their jobs, and a few people who have agendas and political backing= bad news.

What's next if this is true; deer hunting with paint ball guns?

At least we don't have to report deer:confused:

Any truth to the rumor - Sport Fishing Forums (http://www.sportfishermen.com/board/f186/any-truth-rumor-793696.html)

Some info & discussion.

Matt I spoke to NOAA people in Maryland and Mass and I believe thus just a rumor and nothing more. I spent about a half hour talking to guy from Gloucester and he basically said thanks for calling because you can get info from the horses mouth or the other end! The fish we are catching are getting bigger each year and that can mean more weight for fewer actual fish. As of today he had no knowledge of any closure for anyone. Matt lost your tel # when my phone fell in the toilet, PM me with # Mike:buds:

I spoke with a captain I fish with out of Beverly today who told me he heard from a "reliable" source that it will be catch and release this year for tuna less than 73". His source said it should go down in two weeks or so.....and that this was NMFS's trump card they are going to play in the aftermath of the CITES failing to pass.

Let's see where the cards fall.

Clearly the number of recreational boats chasing BFT in the northeast has increased over the past few years. But the reason is that there have simply been a lot more tuna around. I would hope that NMFS could find a better way than C&R only to manage the recreational take.

I personally like the idea of a tagging system; however, NMFS would then have to police it (i.e., $$). I'd even support something along the lines of 5 tags per season, with each tag expiring in a given month (i.e., one tag for each of June, July, August, September, and October). That would be one fish per vessel per month with no ability to transfer tags to another vessel or carry-over to another month.

At least it would be superior to a no-take approach and allow us recreational guys to keep some fish.

Hey all......

I was informed that the non commercial (rec and party/charter) tuna catch combined went way over...the number 3.5 times by Ronnie is probably right...make no mistake about it...there will be a corrective management action.

Let's face it...there has to be some cutback...effort has gone sky high. Sure it is because there are more fish but how do these year classes fill in to make up a healthy fisheriy if we blow thorugh the sustainable fishing numbers

Cites was a bull %$%$%$%$ idea and we all know that the overseas catch is pretty much unregulated....however

when we set the good umber and blow by it we have to cut back...

the key will be to drive enough comet to get a new size and bag that we can live with...no catch is unacceptable

I kow all the right people are on thsi already so just pay attention and the organized community will be coming out with info after next months meeting.

Also...I was told there is an ongoing review of the catch data to mkae sure they get it right.

5 fish a year with tags would be fine with me.

Don't forget that you guys north of the cape had a banner year, but the fishing wasn't up to normal in NY or southern NJ and they have to take the entire coast into account.

I heard yesterday that it will prob take them a year to react to the numbers and this will prob not change much for this season...dock talk
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

This will shut down most of the charter community on the cape and all the monies that are injected into the local economy will vanish depressing an already depressed area economically. Unreal. Hopefully it just stays a rumor.

You mean it'll shut down all the 'me toos' that popped up the past couple years.

Any new news on the regs Matt ?

Any new news on the regs Matt ?

May 14th or 15th

Supposedly an announcement on the 14th of May. Until then...

Latest information from ABTA;

CITES is over for now, overwhelming defeated by the world, except for the PEW controlled USA Fish and Wildlife Agency. Still, ABTA is working with many world partners to insure that the rebuilding of the eastern stock continues. We have made some strategic alliances with fishermen in the east, agreeing on scientific assistance (normally fully funded by ABTA, now maybe soon to be shared with some eastern fishing fleets). And, pressing for accountability by eastern fishing fleets through communication with organizations representing the MED . farms such as “FEAP” and other Sustainable Use Groups. Seemingly ABTA has been quite (quiet) for a while but I promise not idle. ABTA has been exceptionally active and effective behind the scene where it counts.



The AP meets May 11, 12 and 13th in Washington, Rich, Chris Weiner, Steven James, Tom DePersia and myself are AP members and work to convey the needs of our industry (Recreational and Commercial) to NMFS.



The purpose of this note to you is to request your thoughts and ideas about the fishery. We are still working on increasing the General category bag limit and changes to retainage in the Harpoon category. A concern has also been brought to our attention about illegal sales of undersized fish and we are looking for advice as to whether ABTA should address this issue. Please e-mail to ABTA any concerns you have, or recommended changes to the fishery that you see appropriate.



Thanks for your support Ralph Pratt

For anyone concerned about whether or not abta would fight for access to the rec fishery now that cites has been taken care of - 2 of the reps going, Steve James and Tommy D, have significant interests in the school fishery.

I have only tried tuna fishing for the past 3 years and only a few times at that due to the size of my boat. However, I can say that the half dozen or so times that I get out there I have noticed an incredible increase in the amount of boats targeting BFT. The way that equipment has changed and people spin fishing for BFT has really changed things and made fishing for BFT a little more accessible IMO. I for one would love to actually land my first BFT this year and bring it in for some sushi, but not at the expense of the fishery. I am with BasicPatrick in that something does need to be done. It just sucks that if we do something we know that the sons of $%^&* es overseas are doing nothing and just pillaging.

Well said Sea Flat. We all enjoy the food and bringing in a fish but these are gorgeous creatures to catch and most of us would prefer to see the fishery in good health and the charter captains nice and busy even if that means relasing most of the fish we catch with just a quick picture.

Any news?

The skinny coming out of the HMS meeting last week - we need to lay off of the larger fish 59"-73".

Few ideas were kicked around; compressed seasons, making the daily bag limit a weekly or monthly limit; using a tagging system (like deer). But the idea that seemed to have the most traction for 2010 was a slot limit. This would allow for a consistent bag limit through the season but would constrain the fish we could keep between 27" and less than 59".

Nothing offical yet.

I have only tried tuna fishing for the past 3 years and only a few times at that due to the size of my boat. However, I can say that the half dozen or so times that I get out there I have noticed an incredible increase in the amount of boats targeting BFT. The way that equipment has changed and people spin fishing for BFT has really changed things and made fishing for BFT a little more accessible IMO. I for one would love to actually land my first BFT this year and bring it in for some sushi, but not at the expense of the fishery. I am with BasicPatrick in that something does need to be done. It just sucks that if we do something we know that the sons of $%^&* es overseas are doing nothing and just pillaging.

What do you mean? There's plenty of fish, we need more retarded SOB's posting pics every week of all the fish they killed! :fury:

As of now last years limits out.
1 fish for now till regs are set.

What do you mean? There's plenty of fish, we need more retarded SOB's posting pics every week of all the fish they killed! :fury:


you post pics of tunas caught on Riptides boat? :smash:

As of now last years limits out.
1 fish for now till regs are set.

1 fish between 27"-59" or something else? I usually receive alerts since I have an HMS permit but haven't yet and can't find anything online.

Nothing official yet other than what Ron mentioned

The default rec daily limit is 1 fish/day 27" < 73". This is in place until we here some official change.

https://hmspermits.noaa.gov/News.asp

Recreational Atlantic Tunas Retention Limits
The recreational daily bluefin tuna (BFT) retention for limit for HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat vessels (while fishing recreationally) is 1 BFT/vessel/day/trip, measuring 27 to less than 73" CFL. These BFT retention limits are effective for all areas, except for the Gulf of Mexico. The Gulf of Mexico is designated as a spawning grounds for BFT and therefore NMFS does not allow vessels, commercial or recreational, to target BFT while fishing in this area. However, HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Heaboats are eligible to retain 1 BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per year as a “trophy” fish for the boat. This fish may be retained in the Gulf of Mexico if it is caught incidentally while pursuing other species. The recreational yellowfin tuna daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person/day/trip. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack or albacore tunas.