NOAA Wants Anglers' Tuna Tales for Fish Stock Checks
Published Date: 3/26/2026
Notice
Summary
NOAA is asking to keep collecting catch reports from recreational anglers and small-scale commercial fishers who catch Atlantic bluefin tuna and other big ocean fish. This helps track fish numbers and follow international rules, with about 14,000 people reporting 5-10 minutes each time. The request extends current rules with no new costs, and the public has 30 more days to share their thoughts.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
24‑Hour Bluefin and Billfish Reporting
If you hold an HMS Angling, Charter/Headboat, or Atlantic Tunas General category permit, you must report landings and dead discards of Atlantic bluefin tuna, billfish, and swordfish within 24 hours of the landing. Reporting is triggered by a landing and is irregular; most permit holders will only need to report once or twice a year.
Estimated Time Burden and Respondents
About 14,161 respondents submit these catch reports. Each landings report takes about 5–10 minutes on average, producing a total annual burden of 1,557 hours across all respondents.
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Key Dates
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