In January, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) announced a closure of recreational harvests of cobia in Federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean. Recreational harvest of Atlantic migratory group cobia (from Georgia to New York) closed at 12:01 a.m. … Continued
NOAA Fisheries recently published the final rule for a Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) action to designate a large offshore marine protected area for deep sea corals in the Mid-Atlantic. MAFMC approved the Deep Sea Corals Amendment to the Mackerel, … Continued
6th Annual Billfish Symposium September 14-17 International Game Fish Association (IGFA) Headquarters 300 Gulf Stream Way Dania Beach, Florida 33004 The 6th International Billfish Symposium (IBS) will be held September 14-17, 2016 at the International Game Fish Association’s (IGFA) headquarters … Continued
The dolphin, also known as dolphinfish or Mahi Mahi, is one of Virginia’s most popular offshore fish species. Along the Virginia Coast, dolphin are caught from May thru October using a variety of techniques. Dolphin are known for their brilliant … Continued
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) recently approved measures to establish management of blueline tilefish in Federal waters off the Mid-Atlantic and New England coasts. The Blueline Tilefish Amendment includes a suite of measures that will incorporate blueline tilefish as … Continued
From March 2016 through February 2017, NOAA Fisheries will conduct a web-based survey of Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) tournament operators and participants. The agency will collect data on the costs associated with operating and participating in these events. These … Continued
NOAA’s Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Management Division recently announced that the 2016 Atlantic Tunas and Atlantic HMS Permitting System is now operational. NOAA is issuing vessel open access permits to those fishing commercially for Atlantic Tunas and Swordfish, recreationally … Continued
For 2015, tilefish/grouper recreational landing permits can obtained by the angler directly via a new online process; once the appropriate information is provided the no-cost permit is issued immediately via email. Tilefish/grouper recreational landing permits required for all vessels to … Continued
A 606-pound bluefin tuna, caught on April 6, 2015 by Chase Robinson, of Virginia Beach, has been certified as the new Virginia State Record by the Virginia Saltwater Fishing Tournament. Robinson’s 606-pound record-setting bluefin tuna measured 113-1/2 inches in total … Continued
During a webinar meeting on Wednesday February 25, 2015, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council voted to request that the National Marine Fisheries Service implement emergency rules to restrict commercial and recreational landings of blueline tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic. The Council’s … Continued