Rules for tuna this year...

[Mr. Sandman]

The BFT retention limits are as follows: The coastwide General category Atlantic BFT fishery will reopen on June 1, 2006. The daily retention limit will be three large medium or giant BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per day/trip from June 1 through August 31, 2006. The coastwide recreational Atlantic BFT fishery is currently open in all areas. The recreational daily BFT retention limit through May 31 is 1 BFT/vessel/day/trip, measuring 47 to less than 73" CFL. Starting on June1, the daily retention limit will be 2 BFT (47 inches to less than 73 inches) per vessel per day/trip, effective in all areas, for the entire fishing year. In addition, vessels fishing under the Angling category may retain 1 BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per year as a “trophy” fish for the boat. Also, There will be 2 windows of opportunity to harvest school BFT (27 inches to less than 47 inches) during the 2006 season. The school BFT fishery will be open in the southern area, defined as south of 39° 18' N. lat. or approximately Great Egg Inlet, NJ, from July 1 to 21, 2006, during which time a retention limit of 1 school size BFT per day/trip will be in effect. In the northern area, defined as north of 39° 18' N. lat., a retention limit of 1 school size BFT per day/trip will be in effect from August 25, 2006, to September 14, 2006. The school retention limit is in addition to the retention limit for large school/small medium BFT. The recreational yellowfin tuna daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack or albacore tunas.



I wonder if they could make it more complicated for the rec?
IMO this program is a waste of human time and money. It does nothing.

Most of the school BFT in this area were caught in early august. By sept most of the action was north of us. This is going to be a nightmare.