Recreational Atlantic Bigeye, Albacore, Yellowfin, and Skipjack Tuna Fishery Statuses, Minimum Sizes, and Bag Limits
Check if Atlantic recreational bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna fisheries are open and review minimum sizes and retention limits.
Current Requirements
Minimum size requirements and bag limits for bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, and skipjack tuna vary by species. This page is kept up to date with changing statuses and retention limits. Additional requirements may be applicable. View the HMS Recreational Compliance Guide for details.
Species | Fishery Status | Minimum Size (curved fork length) | Bag Limit* |
|---|---|---|---|
Albacore tuna | Open | None | No limit |
Bigeye tuna | Open | 27” | No limit |
Skipjack tuna | Open | None | No limit |
Yellowfin tuna | Open | 27” | 3/person/day or trip |
*Tunas cannot be retained if a hammerhead or oceanic whitetip shark is on board or has been offloaded from the vessel.
Permits
Vessels must have a valid HMS Angling or HMS Charterboat/Headboat permit to fish for Atlantic bigeye, albacore, yellowfin, or skipjack tunas. The permit covers everyone fishing on that vessel. Tournament vessels may instead fish these species with an Atlantic Tunas General category permit.
Measurement
Measure curved fork length by following the curve of the fish's body from the tip of the jaw to fork of the tail.
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