NOAA raises recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limits for 2026
AI-generated summary for informational purposes only. Not legal advice. See the original source for the authoritative text.
This rule raises how many Atlantic bluefin tuna recreational vessels may keep each day or trip during the 2026 season. Private vessels with HMS Angling permits may keep up to two eligible fish, charter boats fishing recreationally may keep up to three, and headboats may keep up to six. In each case, only one fish may be in the larger 47-inch to under-73-inch size range. The change affects recreational anglers, charter operators, headboat operators, and businesses tied to Atlantic bluefin tuna fishing. The limits apply from June 1 through December 31, 2026, unless NOAA changes them again, and do not allow targeted bluefin tuna fishing in the Gulf of America.
AI-generated summary. May contain errors. Refer to official sources for legal decisions.
Key Changes
- Raises the private recreational vessel limit to two Atlantic bluefin tuna per vessel per day or trip
- Raises the recreational charter boat limit to three Atlantic bluefin tuna per vessel per day or trip
- Raises the headboat limit to six Atlantic bluefin tuna per vessel per day or trip, while keeping a one-fish cap for the larger size class
Obligations
What this law requires
Private vessels holding HMS Angling category permits may retain no more than two Atlantic bluefin tuna per vessel per day or trip, measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches curved fork length.
Private vessels holding HMS Angling category permits may retain only one Atlantic bluefin tuna per vessel per day or trip in the large school/small medium size range of 47 inches to less than 73 inches curved fork length.
Charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally for Atlantic bluefin tuna, may retain no more than three Atlantic bluefin tuna per vessel per day or trip, measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches curved fork length.
Charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally for Atlantic bluefin tuna, may retain only one Atlantic bluefin tuna per vessel per day or trip in the large school/small medium size range of 47 inches to less than 73 inches curved fork length.
Headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally for Atlantic bluefin tuna, may retain no more than six Atlantic bluefin tuna per vessel per day or trip, measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches curved fork length.