How to release bluefin to “ensure maximum probability of survival.”

The recent change in our recreational bluefin tuna fishery effectively turning it into a “catch and release” fishery this season has struck a nerve in the for-hire and recreational industry. The impact on my business this season and for many others is that the phone has not rung once for an inshore fall charter. Last year I had a waiting list of clients that were chomping at the bit to go. However since you cannot take home the fruits of your labor during a paid charter, the interest has died.

Capt. Stephen Rhodes, a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Advisory Panel member representing recreational interests, attended NOAA’s HMS Advisory Panel meeting in Silver Spring, MD on September 3-4 and testified on our behalf.  “The resounding feedback is that ICCAT needs to increase the U.S. quota for bluefin across all categories, harpoon, general, recreational, and longline,” Capt. Rhodes said, adding “Based on 2024 landings of U.S. bluefin versus the import of foreign bluefin, the U.S. caught its total quota of 1,341 metric tons. Meanwhile, in 2024, the U.S. imported 2,156 metric tons of bluefin, making our country a net importer of bluefin.”

“The recreational bluefin angler only receives 22.6% of the overall U.S. quota but recreational anglers are the major driver of economic impact on the tackle and other industries,” noted Capt. Rhodes, adding “Recreational bluefin anglers far outnumber commercial interests and spend an economic multiplier on tackle, fuel, ice, boat insurance, dockage, restaurants at the shore, and other areas that benefit the U.S. economy.”

This article is not meant to be political; there’s plenty of that ahead of us.  But the above needs to be said. The focus now is on how to properly catch and release a bluefin if you are still going for the love and addiction of catching and releasing this magnificent creature. Yes, I would like to have the charters but not having them is not going to sideline me. I can still share what I love with friends onboard my boat.

As per Federal Regulations at 50 CFR 635.21(a)(1) “An Atlantic highly migratory species that is not retained must be released in a manner that will ensure maximum probability of survival, but without removing the fish from the water.” With that said to decrease mortality rates the first thing to know is your target, your gear, and your angler.

For instance, if you are going to target giants, using the right gear, with the right angler on the rod, an hour fight could put an 80- to 90-inch tuna next to the boat to be revived and released. The wrong gear in the wrong hands could lead to hours on the rod where eventually the bluefin breaks off exhausted with a higher rate of mortality. I have seen many anglers get spooled when they are under-matched gear wise, now having a bluefin swimming around with 400 yards of braid trailing behind. Most recreational tuna, from 50 to 150 pounds, should be landed in 10 to 30 minutes.

Teamwork works best when releasing a bluefin safely. At the end of the fight, when the bluefin is within reach, one person can leader the fish while a second person uses a large lip gripper to grab onto the bottom lip of the tuna. One can also use a gaff with a small throat to do the same but now the tuna will have a slight injury to its mouth.  Capt. Jerry Malanga of Shore Catch Charters recommends using the Pratiko Big Game Long Grip, handcrafted in Italy, as one of the best heavy duty grippers for this purpose. He calls it “A boga grip on steroids.” For this gripper however price is approximately $595 so it might not be in your budget.

Once the tuna is gripped the angler holding the leader can reach down and remove the hook. After this it is time to revive the tuna next to the boat. To do this put the boat in gear and swim the tuna alongside the boat while holding the head below the water with the gripper. It is best to get the tuna as lateral as possible. Raising the tail while resting it in a large throat gaff can help accomplish this. Swim the tuna in this manner until it starts to show signs of being revived such as a change in coloration where silvers and blues light up again. The tuna should start to thump its tail while opening and closing its bottom jaw, and head shaking is usually the final sign that the tuna is ready to be released.  That can often take up to 5 minutes. At this point open the lip gripper or pop the gaff while simultaneously pushing the head of the tuna in a downward direction.

Keep in mind that in warmer water like in the summer revival times will take longer when compared to catching a late fall or early winter bluefin.