Comments Requested: Proposed Quotas for Atlantic Swordfish, Northern Albacore, and Bluefin Tuna

NOAA Fisheries announces a proposed rule for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore tuna, and bluefin tuna annual quotas.

The proposed rule would:

• Maintain existing baseline quotas for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, and northern albacore tunas
• Implement the management procedure for North Atlantic swordfish consistent with recent recommendations adopted by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT)
• Increase the baseline annual U.S. bluefin tuna quota from 1,316.14 metric tons (mt) to 1,509.98 mt, the level adopted by ICCAT for 2026-2028
  • Increase the bluefin tuna domestic fishing category quotas according to the established regulatory percentages
  • Increase the pelagic longline bycatch set-aside quota from 25 mt to 62.5 mt
• Allocate the pelagic longline bycatch set-aside quota to Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) shareholders with IBQ shares designated for the Atlantic region
• Update the analyses of all swordfish and tuna quotas and consider changes to quotas that could occur in future years consistent with the management procedures
• Provide an opportunity for public comment on the existing process for annual quota adjustments based on international quota transfers, underharvests, and/or overharvests

This action could affect:

• Any U.S. fisherman who targets or incidentally catches North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore tuna, and bluefin tuna
• Any U.S. dealer who buys North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore tuna, and bluefin tuna from fishing vessels

Public Hearing

A webinar and conference call for this rulemaking will take place on May 28, 2026.

Webinar registration information:

Submit Comments by June 8, 2026