Although the first push to formalize a management plan was unsuccessful, subsequent efforts in collaboration with the New England and South Atlantic Fisheries Management Councils, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Council ultimately culminated in an official management plan for the entire Atlantic fishery in 1990. Concerned over the health and overall sustainability of the stock, recreational fishermen in the United States petitioned the Mid-Atlantic Marine Fisheries Council to formalize a management plan for this unregulated species. In the 1970s, developing markets for bluefish in South America and Africa increased commercial fishing pressure on the stocks to unprecedented levels. When caught, these fish must be handled carefully due to their sharp teeth and quick movements. Rod and reel is the primary fishing method used by recreational fishermen targeting bluefish, while commercial fishermen catch them using gillnets, long lines, and trawl nets. This makes bluefish the second most harvested recreational game fish in the mid-Atlantic, second only to striped bass. Recreational fisheries are most prominent, accounting for 70% of the catch in total pounds of bluefish over the past 20 years in the U.S. The seasonality of these fisheries aligns with the migratory patterns of the species. The most significant of these fisheries can be found right here on the eastern seaboard of the U.S., where fishermen have been hunting bluefish for hundreds of years. Fisheries & Managementīoth commercial and recreational fisheries for bluefish can be found throughout the world. Bluefish reach maturity at two years or 15 to 20 inches, and their maximum size is about 39 inches or 31 pounds. The lifespan of these fish is moderately long, with healthy fish living as long as 14 years. During the cooler winter months, the species transitions southward, ranging from Cape Hatteras down to the coast of Florida. Off the Atlantic coast, bluefish can be found from Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, in the warmer summer months. And like their migratory predators, bluefish shift with water temperatures throughout the year. Sharks, tunas, and billfish often prey on adult bluefish. Despite their perfected hunting skills, these aggressive hunters are not at the top of the food chain. The commotion will often attract seabirds and other creatures to the area, which can result in quite a show for those lucky enough to witness it. When feeding, the voracious appetites and high bursts of speed can make these schools of bluefish erupt in utter chaos - a behavioral pattern that has been named the “bluefish blitz.” This somewhat frantic feeding behavior can be seen on the surface of the water, resembling the churning of a washing machine or an isolated storm. Bluefish travel in large schools - sometimes reaching sizes that can cover tens of square miles of ocean. Menhaden, a rich oily baitfish that serves as a staple of the adult bluefish’s diet, ultimately contributes to the rich and moist flavor that characterizes bluefish fillets. A typical bluefish diet includes small baitfish such as mackerel and herring, as well as crustaceans and marine worms. As the only pelagic fish that can turn its head from side to side without having to shift its entire body, bluefish are extremely effective at capturing their prey. With a streamlined form, a broad forked tail, pointed snout, and prominent jaw with condensed razor-sharp teeth, bluefish are formidable hunters that are capable of large bursts of speed and incredible precision. According to the FDA’s Seafood List, “bluefish” is the only acceptable market name for the species. United States fisheries are responsible for the majority of the bluefish found at market throughout the world. Depending on where it’s caught, this prized game fish is referred to by a variety of names - including shad, tailor, elf, blue, lufer, chopper, and anchoa. Known for its voracious appetite, distinctive flavor, and unique bluish-green coloration, bluefish (Pomatomus saltatrix) are a pelagic species of marine fish found in temperate and sub-tropical coastal waters throughout the world.
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