Closure: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Gulf of Maine Area Trophy Fishery

FISHERY:

Angling category Gulf of Maine area Trophy Bluefin Tuna. The Gulf of Maine area is defined as the area north of 42° N. lat. More information on this area can be found in the Amendment 13 Compliance Guide.

CLOSED: August 4, 2026, 11:30 p.m. – December 31, 2026

REASON FOR CLOSURE:

Based on the best available landings information, the Gulf of Maine area trophy subquota has been reached and exceeded.

PERMITS AFFECTED:

Highly Migratory Species Angling category permitted vessels and Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessels fishing recreationally in the Gulf of Maine area (defined above).

Recreational fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Angling category or Highly Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit (while fishing recreationally) may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (i.e., measuring 73 inches curved fork length or greater) in the Gulf of Maine area from 11:30 p.m. August 4, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

NOAA Fisheries previously closed all of the other bluefin tuna trophy areas. With this closure of the Gulf of Maine area trophy bluefin tuna fishery, the Angling category trophy bluefin tuna fishery will be closed in all areas for the remainder of 2026.

Please note that the Angling category fishery for school, large school, and small medium bluefin tuna (27 to <73”) remains open in all areas except for the Gulf of America, which is designated as bluefin tuna spawning grounds and where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.

COMMERCIAL:

Not affected by this closure.