Contact: Gordon Helm FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
3/14/96
The Commerce Department's National Marine Fisheries Service will close the Atlantic bluefin tuna large school-small medium fishery on Mar. 17, 1996, at 11:30 p.m. More fish than expected have already been caught in the 1996 season.
The fishery will remain closed pending a reevaluation of catch levels. If additional quota is available, the fishery will reopen.
Fishing effort off North Carolina by vessels from North Carolina and other states since January 1996 has been unprecedented. Thus far in 1996, 21 metric tons (mt) have been documented as landed during a period when there has historically been little significant fishing activity. North Carolina officials estimate that 20 to 40 percent of all anglers have been interviewed and their catch information recorded. Therefore, as much as 100 mt may have been landed so far this year, based on preliminary estimates of field data.
Officials note that combined landings in the large school-small medium tuna fishery in 1994 and 1995 exceeded the 1994-95 quotas. Even though the 1996 quota for the fishery has not yet been finalized, this closure is necessary to ensure the 1996 quota, when completed, is not exceeded.