🎣Closure of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishery Affects September 2025 Season
NMFS closes the General category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the September time period. The General category may only retain, possess, or land large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) BFT when the fishery is open. This action applies to Atlantic Tunas General category (commercial) permitted vessels and Atlantic highly migratory species (HMS) Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for BFT. This action also waives the previously scheduled restricted- fishing days (RFDs) for the remainder of the September time period. With the RFDs waived during the closure, fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and-release and tag-and-release programs. On October 1, 2025, the fishery will reopen automatically and previously scheduled RFDs for October will resume.
Learn More🐟Notice of Public Meeting for New England Fishery Management Council
The New England Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold a 3-day hybrid meeting with both in-person and webinar participation options to consider actions affecting New England fisheries in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
Learn More🦭Approval of Marine Mammal Removal Authority
NMFS announces approval of an application to intentionally take, by lethal methods, California sea lions (CSL; Zalophus californianus) and Steller sea lions (SSL; Eumetopias jubatus: Eastern stock) that are located in the mainstem of the Columbia River between river mile 112 (I-205 bridge) and river mile 292 (McNary Dam), or in any tributary to the Columbia River that includes spawning habitat of threatened or endangered salmon or steelhead (Onchorynchus spp.). This action is intended to reduce or eliminate sea lion predation on species that are listed as threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973, and species of lamprey or sturgeon that are not listed as endangered or threatened but are listed as a species of concern by the state of Oregon. This authorization is pursuant to the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA). NMFS also announces availability of decision documents and other information relied upon in making this determination.
Learn More🎣North Pacific Fishery Management Council
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Groundfish Plan Teams will meet September 16, 2025, through September 18, 2025.
Learn More🐟Compliance Requirements for Hatchery Programs Under ESA
NMFS has evaluated plans for three hatchery programs rearing and releasing Chinook, coho, and pink salmon in the Dungeness River basin, submitted by the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) as co-managers pursuant to the limitation on take prohibitions for actions conducted under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The plans describe hatchery programs operated by the co-managers. This document serves to notify the public of the availability of an Evaluation and Recommended Determination Document (ERD) in which NMFS, by delegated authority from the Secretary of Commerce, has determined that implementing and enforcing these hatchery and genetics management plans (HGMPs) will not appreciably reduce the likelihood of survival and recovery nor modify or destroy critical habitat of Puget Sound Chinook salmon or Puget Sound steelhead.
Learn More🦀North Pacific Fishery Management Council Public Meeting Overview
The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) Crab Plan Team will meet September 8, 2025, through September 12, 2025.
Learn More🎣Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Fishery Closure for 2025
NMFS closes the Angling category fishery for school and large school/small medium-sized (i.e., measuring 27 inches (68.5 centimeters (cm)) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the 2025 fishing year. In addition to this closure, NMFS through a separate action is simultaneously closing the Angling category Gulf of Maine BFT fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy" (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 cm) CFL or greater). As a result of these closure actions, the Angling category fishery for BFT of all size classes is closed for the remainder of the year. This closure applies to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally for BFT).
Learn More🎣Western Pacific Fishery Management Council Public Meetings Announcement
The Western Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) will hold its American Samoa Archipelago Fishery Ecosystem Plan (FEP) Advisory Panel (AP), Mariana Archipelago FEP Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) AP, Hawaii Archipelago and Pacific Remote Island Areas (PRIA) FEP AP, Fishing Industry Advisory Committee (FIAC), and Mariana Archipelago FEP Guam AP to discuss and make recommendations on fishery management issues in the Western Pacific Region.
Learn More🎣Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Advisory Panel Meeting Notice
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Spiny Dogfish Advisory Panel will hold two public meetings.
Learn More🐟Notice of Public Meeting - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council's Spiny Dogfish Monitoring Committee will hold a public meeting.
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