NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule to add Maine to the list of states for which Federal Atlantic tunas regulations are applicable within state waters. This action is based on a request by the Maine Department of Marine Resources. This rule will go into effect September 6, 2021.
What will it do?
This action makes Federal Atlantic tunas regulations applicable in Maine state waters. These regulations include: open and closed seasons, retention limits, size limits, authorized gears and gear restrictions, and permitting and reporting requirements. Federal Atlantic tunas regulations apply in state waters when NOAA Fisheries determines that the state laws are not on par with the Federal regulations. For most Atlantic states (except Mississippi and Connecticut), Federal regulations for tunas apply in state waters.
Who is affected?
This action affects:
- Any commercial or recreational tuna fishermen fishing for bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, or skipjack tuna in Maine state waters.
- Any dealers who buy or sell bluefin, bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, or skipjack tuna caught in Maine state waters.
For further information on this rule and its requirements, call the Highly Migratory Species Management Division at (301)-427-8503 or (978)-281-9260.
