NMFS, a branch of NOAA within the Commerce Department, announced a temporary closure of the Atlantic bluefin tuna trophy fishery in the southern region for 2025. This closure affects recreational fishing for bluefin tuna measuring over 73 inches in length, as the quota for this category has been reached and exceeded. Fishing in the designated area must stop from February 28, 2025, until the end of the year to prevent further overfishing. While fishing is closed, anglers can still catch and release bluefin tuna, ensuring the fish are handled properly to maximize their survival.
Simple Explanation
The government has announced that people can't keep big bluefin tuna fish in a certain area in the south for the rest of 2025 because there are not enough fish left. They can still catch these fish for fun, but they have to let them go after.