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2025-2026 Commercial Fishing Restrictions for Pacific Bluefin Tuna in the Eastern Pacific Ocean

Final Rule |
West Coast

Overview

Side-profile illustration of a bluefin tuna fish with silvery white bottom half and blue and green on top half and back. Bluefin tuna fish have small yellow fins from second dorsal to tail fin. Credit: NOAA Fisheries/Jack Hornady
Fishing Type
Commercial
Affected Species
Action Status
Final Rule
Published
05/06/2025
Point of Contact
Rachael Wadsworth, WCR Sustainable Fisheries Division (206) 561-345

Summary

NOAA Fisheries published a final rule on May 6, 2025 (90 FR 19126) that sets biennial, annual, and trip catch limits for Pacific bluefin tuna (PBF) in IATTC Convention Area of the eastern Pacific ocean bound by 150° longitude, 50°N and 50°S latitude for 2025-2026. The rule implements provisions of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) Resolution C-24-02. NOAA Fisheries also announces the availability of an Environmental Assessment that analyzes the potential effects of Pacific bluefin tuna management on the environment.

View the final rule and supporting documents

The total biennial limit for 2025 and 2026 is 1,872.85 metric tons (mt). The annual PBF catch and trip limits are described in detail below.

In 2025, the annual catch limit is 1,285 mt. In 2026, the annual limit will be the total cumulative catch in 2025 subtracted from the biennial limit, not to exceed 1,285 mt.

The initial trip limit for both 2025 and 2026 is 60 mt, and reduces as follows:

January - June:

  • The trip limit reduces to 40 mt once the total catch is within 400 mt of the annual limit.
  • The trip limit reduces to 5 mt once the total catch is within 225 mt of the annual limit.

July - September

  • The trip limit reduces to 40 mt once the catch is within 300 mt of the annual limit.
  • The trip limit reduces to 5 mt once the total catch is within 175 mt of the annual limit.

October - December

  • The trip limit reduces to 40 mt once the catch is within 200 mt of the annual limit.
  • The trip limit reduces to 5 mt once the total catch is within 125 mt of the annual limit.

Existing in-season action and reporting procedures continue to apply under this rulemaking. NOAA Fisheries will use available fishery information to estimate when the overall catch is expected to reach thresholds to reduce the trip limit. NOAA Fisheries will then announce in-season actions to reduce the trip limit or close the fishery on the NOAA Fisheries website, via email, and by federal register notice.

Federal Register

Supporting Materials

Last updated by West Coast Regional Office on 05/08/2025