Kathy Mathis, co-owner of Runners Seafood, informed that the fishermen haven’t seen any bluefin tuna yet but they are hoping for a good year, of course. It is true that bluefin tuna are a highly migratory species of fish, meaning they move frequently along the entire Atlantic Coastline, which includes North Carolina, where the fish frequently show up during the fall and winter. And it is know subject that tunas are highly prized, recreationally and commercially. A single tuna can sell for thousands of dollars at market.
Matt Frost of Homer Smith Seafood in Beaufort told that they haven’t seen any bluefin tuna yet, either. He added that the recent fuel prices have been to blame. He said people have fished for bluefin tuna traditionally by going out for that fish alone when the opportunity has presented itself. The tuna are managed in the U.S. by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
Commercial fishermen fish from the Coastwide General Category quota for Bluefin Tuna. Patricia Smith, public information officer with the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF), said as of Sept. 29, the NMFS reported landings of 98.7 metric tons of bluefin tuna out of a coastwide quota of 740 metric tons. She told that given that higher landings generally occur in the summer off northern states, it appears there will be plenty of quota available for North Carolina fisherman this winter if the fish show up.
Dr. Rebecca Lent, NMFS Office of International Affairs director, said Tuesday the eastern fishery countries have been continually overfishing blufin tuna. She informed that they are getting ready for an ICCAT meeting where the countries will be revisiting the TAC, and potentially revising it. ICCAT will meet Nov. 17-24 in Marrakech, Morocco, to discuss management changes that could affect all bluefin tuna fishing, including North Carolina. It will discuss the TAC, allocations between countries, time area closures and compliance with regulations.
