The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) adopted a new Conservation and Management Plan for Western Atlantic Bluefin Tuna, replacing the previous interim plan (Rec. 17-06 as amended). Starting in 2023, this plan implements measures based on the Bluefin Tuna Management Procedure (MP) established in Rec. 22-09. The plan sets an annual Total Allowable Catch (TAC) of 2,726 t, inclusive of dead discards, for the three-year period of 2023, 2024, and 2025. This TAC is allocated among the Contracting Party and Cooperating non‐Contracting Party, Entity, or Fishing Entity (CPCs), with specific quotas and by-catch allowances. Key conservation measures include a prohibition on the transfer of fishing effort between the western and eastern Atlantic , a ban on the directed fishery on the spawning stock in the Gulf of Mexico , and minimum fish size requirements (less than 30 kg or 115 cm fork length is prohibited). The recommendation also emphasizes the value of continued research, data collection, and timely reporting to support the scientific review of the MP by 2028 and monitor stock status.
2022-01-01