NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule regarding the use of restricted-fishing days (RFDs) in the
Atlantic Tunas General category and HMS Charter/Headboat fisheries.
NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule that will modify retention limits and related regulatory procedures for some swordfish and shark permit types. These changes in retention limit and related regulatory procedures are effective June 1, 2021.
NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule to add Maine to the list of states for which federal
Atlantic tunas regulations are applicable within state waters. This action is being considered
based on a request by the Maine Department of Marine Resources.
The Spring Gulf of Mexico and Northeastern United States Monitoring Areas for bluefin tuna will continue to be open to fishing with pelagic longline gear from April 1-May 30, 2021 and June 1-June 30, 2021.
Fishermen in the Atlantic with Shark Directed limited access permits may retain up to 55 large coastal sharks (LCS) other than sandbar sharks, including hammerhead sharks, per vessel per trip as of March 23, 2021.
NOAA Fisheries is holding a meeting for selected participants to discuss the 2021 Shark Research Fishery permit terms and conditions. Participants can join by Webex or by phone.
Commercial fisheries for the linked aggregated large coastal shark (LCS) and hammerhead shark management groups in the western Gulf of Mexico subregion will close at 11:30 p.m. local time on March 8, 2021.