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A bit more info
These limits are effective for all areas except the Gulf of Mexico, the designated spawning grounds for BFT and where NMFS prohibits targeted fishing. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, the daily retention limit applies upon landing.
(2) Closure ofthelargemedium!giant"trophy"BFT(73"orgreater)fis herysouth of39°18'N (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ) through December 31,2011 (based on North Carolina Tagging Program data)
Information from the North Carolina Tagging Program and from fishery participants indicates that the vast majority of BFT landed recreationally this year have been 59 inches or greater. As in 2010, it is reasonable to assume that the codified large school/small medium subquota (and potentially the Angling category quota overall) would be exceeded under the default daily retention limit, particularly due to the expected continued high availability of small medium BFT coastwide. Therefore, NMFS has determined that the Angling category retention limit should be adjusted to prohibit the retention of small medium BFT. Additionally, North Carolina Tagging Program data indicate that the codified southern trophy quota (2.9 mt) has been taken.
The annual Angling category trophy limit of one large medium or giant BFT per vessel (73" or greater) remains in effect for vessels fishing in the northern area.
NMFS takes these actions to be consistent with the 2006 Consolidated Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan and to prevent overharvest of the 2011 Angling category quota. In taking this action, NMFS considered the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, including available quota, fishery performance in recent years, and the availability of BFT (particularly small medium BFT) on the fishing grounds.
Anglers may catch and release or tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the HMS catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. NMFS regulations at 50 CFR
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