Retention Limit Adjustment: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Angling Category Fishery
Summary
NOAA Fisheries is adjusting the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational fishermen. The adjusted limits will take effect July 1, 2025 and extend through December 31, 2025, unless modified by later action. NOAA Fisheries may need to take another action(s) later in the year, if appropriate, to further adjust the retention limits or close the fishery.
As of July 1, 2025, the retention limits will be:
Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Vessel/Permit Type | Retention Limit per Vessel per Day/Trip (lengths in curved fork length) |
|---|---|
Private vessels with HMS Angling permits | 1 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73” |
Charter/Headboats with HMS Charter/Headboat permits, when fishing recreationally | 2 bluefin tuna measuring 27 to <73”, of which only 1 fish may be a large school/small medium bluefin tuna (47 to <73”) |
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 two-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.
Who is affected
The changes apply to HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally. The daily retention limits are effective for all areas except for the Gulf of America, where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.
Catch reporting
HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessel owners are required to report the catch of all bluefin retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or the end of each trip by:
- Accessing the HMS Permit Shop.
- Using the HMS Catch Reporting app.
- Calling 888-872-8862 (Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.).
Consistent with Executive Order (E.O.) 14172 (Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness), this document uses Gulf of America for all references to the area known as the Gulf of Mexico in the specific regulations at 50 CFR part 635.