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The reason the recreational bluefin retention limits were so tight last year is a result of how the mortality on these small fish is assessed at the international level. The U.S. must keep its level of harvest on the smaller fish at or below a certain level over a 4 year time-period. Last year was the 4th, thus the books had to be balanced. Where 2007 is the first year in a cycle the limits don't need to be quite as restrictive. As far as the health, the last few years have been the worst on record in the commercial fleet, as far as landings go. Hugh concerns in regards to the stock here domestically, but at the international level it is a different story.
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