Commercial Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishery Statuses, Minimum Sizes, and Retention Limits
Updated commercial fishery status and current retention limits by permit.
Fishery Status and Landings
This table includes the current commercial Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery status, quota, and landings by quota category. Quotas may be adjusted during the fishing year including via inseason transfers. Note, landings to date are preliminary and not final. NOAA Fisheries recently took action to modify the baseline and adjusted Atlantic bluefin tuna quota consistent with the quota adopted at the 2025 International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas annual meeting.
Learn more about category closures, quota transfers, and adjustments.
| Quota Category | Time Period | Status | Base Quota | Adjusted Quota (if N/A then base quota applies) | Landings to date Last updated: 9/8/2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| General | January - March | Closed January 14 | 43.2 mt | 69.2 mt | 69.4 mt |
| June - August | Ended August 31 | 407.7 mt | N/A | 382.1 mt | |
| September | Open | 216.1 mt | N/A | 35 mt | |
| October - November | Opens October 1 | 106 mt | N/A | ||
| December | Opens December 1 | 42.4 mt | 16.4 mt | ||
| Harpoon | – | Closed July 17 | 67.9 mt | 74.3 mt | 83.4 mt |
Longline (bycatch set-aside in the Atlantic) | – | Open | 240.1 mt (62.5 mt) | 240.1 mt (62.5 mt) | 167.5 mt |
| Trap | – | Open | 1.5 mt | N/A | |
| Reserve | – | NA | 43.8 mt | 112.2 mt |
Note: Totals subject to rounding error
Commercial Minimum Sizes and Current Retention Limits
This table includes the minimum sizes and current retention limits for bluefin tuna by permit type. Retention limits may be modified during the fishing year. Additional requirements may be applicable. Check the HMS Commercial Compliance Guide for details.
Learn more about retention limit changes
| Permit Type | Minimum Size (curved fork length) | Commercial Retention Limit Last updated 5/28/2026 | Restricted-Fishing Days |
|---|---|---|---|
HMS Charter/Headboat with a commercial sale endorsement | 73” or greater | June 1 - June 30 (while fishery is open): 3/vessel/day or trip
July 1 - December 31 (while fishery is open): 1/vessel/day or trip | Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from July 1 through November 30 |
Atlantic Tunas General category | 73” or greater | June 1 - June 30 (while fishery is open): 3/vessel/day or trip
July 1 - December 31 (while fishery is open): 1/vessel/day or trip | Every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday from July 1 through November 30
|
Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category | 73” or greater | June 1 - November 15 (while fishery is open): Combined daily retention limit is 5/vessel/day
Note: no more than 2/vessel/day for 73-<81" | N/A |
Atlantic Tunas Longline category | 73” or greater | IBQ Program | N/A |
Atlantic Tunas Trap category | 73” or greater | 1/vessel/year | N/A |
Commercial Permits
Buy or renew a commercial permit
To commercially harvest bluefin tuna in federal waters—as well as in the state waters of all states except Connecticut and Mississippi—vessel owners must obtain one of the following permits listed in the table below.
| Quota Category | Permit Type |
|---|---|
General | Atlantic Tunas General category
OR
HMS Charter/Headboat with a commercial sale endorsement |
Harpoon | Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category |
Longline | Atlantic Tunas Longline category (vessels must also have a Swordfish Directed or Swordfish Incidental permit) |
Trap | Atlantic Tunas Trap category |
Measurement
Measure curved fork length by following the curve of the fish's body from the tip of the upper jaw to fork of the tail.
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