NOAA to Host Constituent Briefing on Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Decision TODAY at 2:00 p.m. Eastern

Today, NOAA Fisheries will host a Constituent Briefing on its announcement that Atlantic bluefin tuna currently do not warrant species protection under the Endangered Species Act. NOAA has committed to revisit this decision by early 2013, when more information will be available about the effects of the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill, as well as a new stock assessment from the scientific arm of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. NOAA also announced today that it is formally designating both the western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stocks of bluefin tuna as “species of concern” under the ESA. Today's call is free and open to all interested constituents. Details are listed below.

For more information on the Atlantic bluefin tuna decision, go to NOAA Fisheries’ Atlantic bluefin tuna webpage at: NOAA :: National Marine Fisheries Service : Scientists to Observe Gulf Menhaden Fishery for Bycatch Impacts (http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/stories/2011/05/bluefin_tuna.html).

When: Friday, May 27, 2011
Time: 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. (Eastern)
Toll-free call-in number: 888-606-5917
Audible pass code: Callers will need to say the word ‘tuna’ to gain access to the call

On May 27, 2011, after an extensive scientific review, NOAA announced that Atlantic bluefin tuna currently do not warrant species protection under the Endangered Species Act.

NOAA has committed to revisit this decision by early 2013, when more information will be available about the effects of the Deepwater Horizon BP oil spill, as well as a new stock assessment from the scientific arm of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas, the international body charged with the fish’s management and conservation.

NOAA is formally designating both the western Atlantic and eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean stocks of bluefin tuna as “species of concern.” This places the species on a watchlist for concerns about its status and threats to the species under the Endangered Species Act.

Anyone else in on the call right now?

New regs:

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species News
Effective June 3 through August 31, 2011, the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) adjusts the General category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit to three large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip.

The commercial General category BFT fishery reopens June 1, 2011. On June 1 and June 2, the default retention limit of one large medium or giant BFT per vessel per day/trip will apply.