BFT Catch Document

UNITED STATES BLUEFIN TUNA CATCH DOCUMENT

Document No. _______________________

1. CATCH INFORMATION
A. VESSEL
ATVP NO:
NAME:

FLAG:

ICCAT RECORD NO.:

B. CATCH DESCRIPTION
LANDING DATE (ddmmyy):

AREA:

NO. FISH:

AVG WT (KG):

TOTAL WT (KG):

GEAR:

Pacific

C. GOVT. VALIDATION
NAME OF AUTHORITY:

TITLE:

SIGNATURE:

DATE:

SEAL

2. TAG INFORMATION & PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
Product Type
TAG #:

F/FR

WT (KG):

RD/GG/DR/FL/OT

Product Type
Descriptions
F = Fresh
FR = Frozen

RD = Round
GG = Gilled&Gutted
DR = Dressed
FL = Fillet
OT = Other

3. TRADE INFORMATION
A. EXPORTER/SELLER
COMPANY:

LICENSE NO:

ADDRESS:

STREET

CITY

NET WT (kg):
B. POINT OF EXPORT/DEPARTURE:

SIGNATURE:

CITY:

STATE:

COUNTRY:
C. TRANSPORTATION DESCRIPTION
D. GOVT VALIDATION

USA

STATE OR PROVINCE

DESTINATION COUNTRY:

DATE:

(ensure documents are available at import)

NAME OF AUTHORITY:

TITLE:

SIGNATURE:

DATE:

COMPANY:

LICENSE NO:

SEAL

E. IMPORTER/BUYER

ADDRESS:

STREET

CITY

SIGNATURE:
F. POINT OF IMPORT
CITY:

STATE OR PROVINCE:

COUNTRY:

DATE:

STATE OR PROVINCE

United States Bluefin Tuna Catch Document
Reporting Instructions for Bluefin Tuna Exports

Bluefin tuna exporters must fill out this form for each vessel’s exported catch. Complete the document on the reverse side
by entering the requested data in the appropriate data fields following the instructions below. (See the bottom of this

instruction sheet for Pacific bluefin tuna). The document must be filled out completely prior to exporting bluefin tuna in

accordance with 50 C.F.R. 300.185. The completed original document must accompany the exported consignment.

Submit a copy of the completed document to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) at one of the following

addresses: by email to: BFTreporting@noaa.gov; by FAX to: 228-762-7144; or by mail to: Tuna/Swordfish Reporting,

NSIL, 3209 Frederic St, Pascagoula, MS, 39567. NMFS must receive a copy of the document within 24 hours of

export.

FORM INSTRUCTIONS
Document Number: Use the following formula to generate a document number: USYear - International Trade Permit
(ITP) number (numerals only, do not include the “SE” prefix)- sequential number. For example, an exporter with the
ITP number SE 10543 who is exporting the first bluefin for the year 2008 would use the following doc. number:
US2008-10543-1.
1. Catch Information (NOTE: It may be necessary to obtain this information from the Atlantic Tunas Dealer Permit
holder who first purchased the bluefin tuna.)
A. Vessel: Enter the name of the vessel that captured the bluefin tuna and the vessel’s Atlantic Tuna Vessel Permit
(ATVP) number. For vessels with a length greater than 24 m, enter the ICCAT record number (see website
http://www.iccat.int/vesselsrecord.asp)
B. Catch Description: Enter the Landing Date (date bluefin tuna was brought to dock and sold to Atlantic Tunas
Dealer Permit holder), Area of catch, Gear type (choose from table below), Number of Fish entered on this form, Total
Weight in kilograms of fish product entered on this form, and calculate average weight = (total weight/number of fish).
GEAR TYPES
HAND – handline
LL – longline
RR - rod and reel
HARP – harpoon
PS – purse seine
TRAP - trap
2. Tag Information and Product Description
Enter the tag number for each bluefin tuna in the space provided. Enter the product type (choose from list on front of
form) for each tagged fish and its weight in kilograms. If product type is “other” enter “OT” and a one-word description
(e.g., OT-toro).
3. Trade Information
A. Exporter/Seller: Enter the exporting company’s name and International Trade Permit number, address, the total
weight of bluefin tuna listed on this form, and sign once the form is printed.
B. Point of Departure/Export: enter the point of departure including city, state, and date of export. Enter the
destination (country) of the export.
C. Transportation Description: Ensure that a copy of official transportation documentation (e.g., airway bill) is
received by the importer, along with this form.
D. Government Validation: If bluefin tuna are tagged, leave this section blank (government validation is waived for
tagged U.S. Atlantic and Pacific bluefin tuna). For untagged Pacific bluefin tuna, government validation is required. For
validation, FAX the completed form to the NMFS-authorized validation official at: 866/252-3751. Be sure to specify
return fax number and phone number. If your validated form has not been returned within 2 hours, call the validation
official at 843-724-6425.
E. Importer/Buyer; and, F. Point of Import: leave blank – this section will be filled out by the foreign importer.
Pacific bluefin tuna exports: only the following fields are required: “Document Number,” “Area” under “Catch
Information,” “Weight” and “Product Type” under “Tag Information and Product Description,” and all “Trade
Information” fields, including “Government Validation.”
The following information is provided to you as required by the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1955 (PL 104-13): Under the provisions of the PRA and the
Privacy Act of 1974 (PL 93-579), you are advised that disclosure of the information requested on the United States bluefin tuna catch document is mandatory for the purpose of
managing the bluefin tuna fishery. The data is used to monitor trade of Atlantic bluefin tuna. Reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 5
minutes per completed form, including time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining data needed, and completing and reviewing
the information. Pursuant to Section 402(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and consistent with NOAA Administrative Order 216-100 (Confidentiality of Fisheries Statistics),
the Agency does not release confidential information submitted in compliance with provisions of the Act, other than in aggregate form and under circumstances required or
authorized by law. Whenever data are requested or released to the general public, the Agency ensures that information on the pecuniary business activity of a dealer is not
identified. Because you have been provided with a currently valid OMB control number for a collection of information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork
Reduction Act you are required to respond to, or be subject to penalty for failing to comply with, this collection of information. Send comments regarding this
burden estimate or suggestions for reducing this burden to: NMFS, Highly Migratory Species Division, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930-2298.

OMB # 0648-0040 EXP 11/30/2021

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/webdam/download/63617049