Final Rule: Bluefin Tuna, Atlantic Swordfish, and Northern Albacore Quotas

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

The final rule:

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

A full description of the quotas for these stocks can be found in the Implementation Plan.

For the remainder of 2026, this action:

• Adjusts the 2026 quotas for North and South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore, and the Atlantic bluefin tuna Reserve category. These adjustments are based on the underharvest of 2025 adjusted U.S. quotas and limitations set by ICCAT on what can be carried forward.
• Transfers 30.8 mt ww of bluefin tuna quota from the Longline category to the Reserve category, resulting in a Longline category quota of 240.1 mt ww.
• Describes the 2026 adjusted quotas:
  • North Atlantic swordfish: 3,378.2 mt dressed weight (dw)
  • South Atlantic swordfish: 75.2 mt dw
  • Northern albacore: 1,111.8 mt ww (whole weight)
  • Atlantic bluefin tuna Reserve category: 112.2 mt ww

This action affects:

• 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

Compliance with new requirements

This rule increases the baseline annual U.S. bluefin tuna quota and the pelagic longline bluefin tuna bycatch set-aside quota. The set-aside quota of 62.5 mt is allocated to IBQ shareholders with IBQ shares designated for the Atlantic region, and is no longer specific to the Northeast Distant gear restricted area. For IBQ shareholders with Atlantic IBQ shares, you should see an increase based on your IBQ percentage on the effective date of this rule. If you do not see any increase, please call the IBQ service desk at 301-427-8591.

This rule does not change any other regulations or requirements for fishermen who target or incidentally catch bluefin tuna, swordfish, or northern albacore. To comply with this rule, fishermen must continue to follow the relevant fishery regulations, which can be found in the Atlantic highly migratory species compliance guides. Fishermen may continue to track quota usage and other fishery updates for commercial bluefin tuna, recreational bluefin tuna, and swordfish and northern albacore.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Effective Date

This rule will be effective on August 19, 2026. Adjusted quotas are effective through December 31, 2026.