NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULE: ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA FISHERIES; HARPOON CATEGORY QUOTA TRANSFER

WASHINGTON, July 16 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a rule called: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Harpoon Category Quota Transfer.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 16 by Shannon Bettridge, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS is transferring 6.4 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the Harpoon category resulting in an adjusted Harpoon category quota 65.6 mt and a Reserve category quota of 1 mt. This action is intended to provide further harvest opportunities for Harpoon category fishermen, based on consideration of the regulatory determination c...