2026 Atlantic Swordfish Landing Updates
Commercial and recreational landings information for North Atlantic and South Atlantic swordfish is posted monthly.
NOAA Fisheries estimates landings using commercial dealer reports and reports by anglers in the Highly Migratory Species Non-Tournament Recreational Swordfish and Billfish Landings Database and the Recreational Billfish Survey.
These estimates are subject to late reporting and do not include discards. Totals are reported in metric tons (mt) dressed weight (dw) (1 mt is equal to 2,204.6 pounds).
January 1 through July 31, 2026
Posted August 19
The table below provides preliminary landings estimates as of July 31, 2026, for the Atlantic swordfish fisheries for the 2026 fishing year.
North Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | Quota Sub-Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota3 Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
| Directed Fishery1 | Jan 1 – June 30 | 279.3 | 21.2 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | 18.4 % (1,514.1 mt dw) | 278.8 |
| July 1 – Dec 31 | 16.8 | 1.3 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | 1.1 % (1, 514.1 mt dw) | 32.1 | |
| Incidental Fishery2 | Commercial Landings | 7.9 | 6.9 % (300 mt dw) | 6.9 % (300 mt dw) | 8.4 |
| Recreational Landings | 12.7 | 11.1 | |||
| Total | 316.6 | 10.8 % (2,937.6 mt dw) | 9.4 % (3,378.2 mt dw) | 330.4 |
- Annual directed quota is split equally into two 6-month seasons (baseline: 1,318.8 mt dw per season). It contains landings reported by vessels with certain permits. These are the directed swordfish limited access permit, handgear swordfish limited access permit, swordfish general commercial permit, HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, and HMS Charter/Headboat permit (when on a non for-hire trip).
- Recreational landings (HMS Angling permit or HMS Charter/Headboat permit when on a for-hire trip) and commercial landings by incidental swordfish limited access and incidental HMS squid trawl permit holders count toward the annual incidental quota.
- On August 19, 2026 (91 FR 53526), NOAA Fisheries adjusted the 2026 annual North Atlantic swordfish quota to 3,378.2 mt dw to include the 440.6 mt of underharvest the United States could carry forward from 2025 consistent with ICCAT Recommendation 25-10. Fifty (50) mt dw of the adjusted quota is allocated to the Reserve category for inseason adjustments and research and is not shown in the table, but is included in the total.
South Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
| Directed Fishery (annual quota) | 0.0 | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 |
January 1 through June 30, 2026
Posted July 23
The table below provides preliminary landings estimates as of June 30, 2026, for the Atlantic swordfish fisheries for the 2026 fishing year.
The 2026 annual directed landings quota shown below has not been adjusted for 2025 underharvest and does not include the reserve category allocation or international quota transfers. Once the 2026 quota adjustment is effective, the adjusted amount will be reflected on the monthly landings report.
North Atlantic Swordfish
Quota Category | Quota Sub-Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
Directed Fishery1 | Jan 1 – June 30 | 278.1 | 21.1 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 273.4 |
July 1 – Dec 31 | 0.0 | 0.0 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 0.0 | |
Incidental Fishery2 | Commercial Landings | 7.5 | 6.3 % (300 mt dw) | N/A | 6.3 |
Recreational Landings | 11.5 | 9.0 | |||
Total | 297.1 | 10.1 % (2,937.6 mt dw) | N/A | 288.7 |
- Annual directed quota is split equally into two 6-month seasons (baseline: 1,318.8 mt dw per season). It contains landings reported by vessels with certain permits. These are the directed swordfish limited access permit, handgear swordfish limited access permit, swordfish general commercial permit, HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, and HMS Charter/Headboat permit (when on a non for-hire trip).
- Recreational landings (HMS Angling permit or HMS Charter/Headboat permit when on a for-hire trip) and commercial landings by incidental swordfish limited access and incidental HMS squid trawl permit holders count toward the annual incidental quota.
South Atlantic Swordfish
Quota Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
Directed Fishery (annual quota) | 0.0 | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 |
January 1 through May 31, 2026
Posted June 17
The table below provides preliminary landings estimates as of May 31, 2026, for the Atlantic swordfish fisheries for the 2026 fishing year.
The 2026 annual directed landings quota shown below has not been adjusted for 2025 underharvest and does not include the reserve category allocation or international quota transfers. Once the 2026 quota adjustment is effective, the adjusted amount will be reflected on the monthly landings report.
North Atlantic Swordfish
Quota Category | Quota Sub-Category | 2026 Landings(mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken(2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken(2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period(mt dw) |
Directed Fishery1 | Jan 1 – June 30 | 210.8 | 16.0 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 239.9 |
July 1 – Dec 31 | 0.0 | 0.0 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 0.0 | |
Incidental Fishery2 | Commercial Landings | 4.8 | 4.4 % (300 mt dw) | N/A | 4.7 |
Recreational Landings | 8.3 | 7.5 | |||
Total | 223.9 | 7.6 % (2,937.6 mt dw) | N/A | 252.1 |
- Annual directed quota is split equally into two 6-month seasons (baseline: 1,318.8 mt dw per season). It contains landings reported by vessels with certain permits. These are the directed swordfish limited access permit, handgear swordfish limited access permit, swordfish general commercial permit, HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, and HMS Charter/Headboat permit (when on a non for-hire trip).
- Recreational landings (HMS Angling permit or HMS Charter/Headboat permit when on a for-hire trip) and commercial landings by incidental swordfish limited access and incidental HMS squid trawl permit holders count toward the annual incidental quota.
South Atlantic Swordfish
Quota Category | 2026 Landings(mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken(2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken(2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period(mt dw) |
Directed Fishery (annual quota) | 0.0 | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 |
January 1 through April 30, 2026
Posted May 27
The table below provides preliminary landings estimates as of April 30, 2026, for the Atlantic swordfish fisheries for the 2026 fishing year.
The 2026 annual directed landings quota shown below has not been adjusted for 2025 underharvest and does not include the reserve category allocation or international quota transfers. Once the 2026 quota adjustment is effective, the adjusted amount will be reflected on the monthly landings report.
North Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | Quota Sub-Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directed Fishery1 | Jan 1 – June 30 | 149.8 | 11.4 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 193.3 |
July 1 – Dec 31 | 0.0 | 0.0 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 0.0 | |
Incidental Fishery2 | Commercial Landings | 2.9 | 3.1 % (300 mt dw) | N/A | 3.2 |
Recreational Landings | 6.3 | 5.6 | |||
Total | 159 | 5.4 % (2,937.6 mt dw) | N/A | 202 |
- Annual directed quota is split equally into two 6-month seasons (baseline: 1,318.8 mt dw per season). It contains landings reported by vessels with certain permits. These are the directed swordfish limited access permit, handgear swordfish limited access permit, swordfish general commercial permit, HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, and HMS Charter/Headboat permit (when on a non for-hire trip).
- Recreational landings (HMS Angling permit or HMS Charter/Headboat permit when on a for-hire trip) and commercial landings by incidental swordfish limited access and incidental HMS squid trawl permit holders count toward the annual incidental quota.
South Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Directed Fishery (annual quota) | 0.0 | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 |
January 1 through March 31, 2026
Posted April 23
The table below provides preliminary landings estimates as of March 31, 2026, for the Atlantic swordfish fisheries for the 2026 fishing year.
The 2026 annual directed landings quota shown below has not been adjusted for 2025 underharvest and does not include the reserve category allocation or international quota transfers. Once the 2026 quota adjustment is effective, the adjusted amount will be reflected on the monthly landings report.
North Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | Quota Sub-Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directed Fishery1 | Jan 1 – June 30 | 102.9 | 7.8 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 143.4 |
July 1 – Dec 31 | 0.0 | 0.0 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 0.0 | |
Incidental Fishery2 | Commercial Landings | 1.0 | 1.8 % (300 mt dw) | N/A | 2.2 |
Recreational Landings | 4.3 | 4.1 | |||
Total | 108.2 | 3.7 % (2,937.6 mt dw) | N/A | 149.7 |
- Annual directed quota is split equally into two 6-month seasons (baseline: 1,318.8 mt dw per season). It contains landings reported by vessels with certain permits. These are the directed swordfish limited access permit, handgear swordfish limited access permit, swordfish general commercial permit, HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, and HMS Charter/Headboat permit (when on a non for-hire trip).
- Recreational landings (HMS Angling permit or HMS Charter/Headboat permit when on a for-hire trip) and commercial landings by incidental swordfish limited access and incidental HMS squid trawl permit holders count toward the annual incidental quota.
South Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Directed Fishery (annual quota) | 0.0 | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 |
January 1 through February 28, 2026
Posted March 26
The table below provides preliminary landings estimates as of February 28, 2026, for the Atlantic swordfish fisheries for the 2026 fishing year.
The 2026 annual directed landings quota shown below has not been adjusted for 2025 underharvest and does not include the reserve category allocation or international quota transfers. Once the 2026 quota adjustment is effective, the adjusted amount will be reflected on the monthly landings report.
North Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | Quota Sub-Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directed Fishery1 | Jan 1 – June 30 | 57.9 | 2.3 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 86.6 |
July 1 – Dec 31 | 0.0 | 0.0 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 0.0 | |
Incidental Fishery2 | Commercial Landings | 0.6 | 0.6 % (300 mt dw) | N/A | 1.8 |
Recreational Landings | 2.3 | 2.1 | |||
Total | 60.8 | 1.1 % (2,937.6 mt dw) | N/A | 90.5 |
- Annual directed quota is split equally into two 6-month seasons (baseline: 1,318.8 mt dw per season). It contains landings reported by vessels with certain permits. These are the directed swordfish limited access permit, handgear swordfish limited access permit, swordfish general commercial permit, HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, and HMS Charter/Headboat permit (when on a non for-hire trip).
- Recreational landings (HMS Angling permit or HMS Charter/Headboat permit when on a for-hire trip) and commercial landings by incidental swordfish limited access and incidental HMS squid trawl permit holders count toward the annual incidental quota.
South Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Directed Fishery (annual quota) | 0.0 | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 |
January 1 through January 31, 2026
Posted March 2
The table below provides preliminary landings estimates as of January 31, 2026, for the Atlantic swordfish fisheries for the 2026 fishing year.
The 2026 annual directed landings quota shown below has not been adjusted for 2025 underharvest and does not include the reserve category allocation or international quota transfers. Once the 2026 quota adjustment is effective, the adjusted amount will be reflected on the monthly landings report.
North Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | Quota Sub-Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Directed Fishery1 | Jan 1 – June 30 | 30.7 | 2.3 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 34.8 |
July 1 – Dec 31 | 0.0 | 0.0 % (1,318.8 mt dw) | N/A | 0.0 | |
Incidental Fishery2 | Commercial Landings | 0.5 | 0.6 % (300 mt dw) | N/A | 1.1 |
Recreational Landings | 1.2 | 0.5 | |||
Total | 32.5 | 1.1 % (2,937.6 mt dw) | N/A | 36.4 |
- Annual directed quota is split equally into two 6-month seasons (baseline: 1,318.8 mt dw per season). It contains landings reported by vessels with certain permits. These are the directed swordfish limited access permit, handgear swordfish limited access permit, swordfish general commercial permit, HMS Commercial Caribbean Small Boat permit, and HMS Charter/Headboat permit (when on a non for-hire trip).
- Recreational landings (HMS Angling permit or HMS Charter/Headboat permit when on a for-hire trip) and commercial landings by incidental swordfish limited access and incidental HMS squid trawl permit holders count toward the annual incidental quota.
South Atlantic Swordfish
| Quota Category | 2026 Landings (mt dw) | Percent of 2026 Baseline Quota Taken (2026 Baseline Quota) | Percent of 2026 Adjusted Quota Taken (2026 Adjusted Quota) | 2025 Landings During the Same Time Period (mt dw) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Directed Fishery (annual quota) | 0.0 | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 % (75.2 mt dw) | 0.0 |