Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Recreational Fishery Statuses and Bag Limits
Check if Atlantic recreational bluefin tuna fisheries are open and review current retention limits by permit.
Bag limits for bluefin tuna in the Atlantic, Gulf of America* (formerly Gulf of Mexico), and Caribbean vary by permit, vessel type, fish size, and region. This page is kept up to date with changing statuses and retention limits. Additional requirements may be applicable. View the HMS Recreational Compliance Guide for details.
Regardless of the permit type, bluefin tuna cannot be retained if a hammerhead shark is on board or has been offloaded from the vessel.
Note: The retention limits are per vessel per day/trip. Regardless of the duration of a fishing trip, no more than a single day’s retention limit may be possessed or retained at the end of the trip upon landing. For example, whether a private vessel (fishing under the Angling category retention limit) takes a 2-day trip or makes two trips in one day, the day/trip retention limit of one bluefin tuna applies and may not be exceeded upon landing.
HMS Angling Permit
Size Class (curved fork length) | Fishery Status | Atlantic Bag Limit | Gulf of America Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 27" | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
| 27” to less than 73” | Open | 1/vessel/day or trip | Not allowed |
73" or greater Trophy Gulf of Maine | Open | 1/vessel/year | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy Southern New England | Closed | 0 | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy South | Closed | 0 | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy Gulf of America | Closed | Not applicable | 0 |
HMS Charter Headboat Permit When Fishing Recreationally
Charter Boats
Size Class (curved fork length) | Fishery Status | Atlantic Bag Limit | Gulf of America Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 27" | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
27" to less than 73" | Open | 2/vessel/day or trip, of which only 1 fish may be 47 to 73” | Not allowed |
73" or greater Trophy Gulf of Maine | Open | 1/vessel/year | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy Southern New England | Closed | 0 | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy South | Closed | 0 | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy Gulf of America | Closed | Not applicable | 0 |
Headboats
Size Class (curved fork length) | Fishery Status | Atlantic Bag Limit | Gulf of America Bag Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Less than 27" | Not allowed | Not allowed | Not allowed |
27" to less than 73" | Open | 2/vessel/day or trip, of which only 1 fish may be 47 to 73” | Not allowed |
73" or greater Trophy Gulf of Maine | Open | 1/vessel/year | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy Southern New England | Closed | 0 | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy South | Closed | 0 | Not applicable |
73" or greater Trophy Gulf of America | Closed | Not applicable | 0 |
Permits
Vessels must have a valid HMS Angling or HMS Charter/Headboat permit to fish for Atlantic bluefin tuna. The permit covers everyone fishing on that vessel. Tournament vessels may instead fish for bluefin with an Atlantic Tunas General category permit.
Measurement
Measure curved fork length by following the curve of the fish's body from the tip of the jaw to fork of the tail.
*Executive Order 14172, “Restoring Names That Honor American Greatness” (Jan. 20, 2025), directs that the Gulf of Mexico be renamed the Gulf of America. Gulf of America references in this website refer to the same area as the Gulf of Mexico in the applicable regulations under 50 CFR parts 216–219, 222–226, and 600–699. The name change did not result in any changes to, and had no effect on the applicability or enforceability of, any existing regulations. This website continues to use “Gulf of Mexico” when quoting statutes, existing regulations, or previously published materials.