Closure: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna General Category Commercial Fishery
FISHERY: General category
CLOSED: January 14, 2026, 11:30 p.m., local time –March 31, 2026
REASON FOR CLOSURE: Based on the best available landings information, the General
category January through March subquota has been reached and exceeded.
PERMITS AFFECTED: Atlantic Tunas General category permitted vessels and Highly
Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permitted vessels with a commercial sale endorsement when fishing commercially for bluefin tuna.
Commercial fishermen aboard vessels with an Atlantic Tunas General category or Highly
Migratory Species Charter/Headboat permit may not retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna from 11:30 p.m., January 14, 2026, through March 31, 2026.
RECREATIONAL: Not affected by this closure.
When is the fishery reopening? What will the retention limit be? The General category bluefin tuna fishery will automatically reopen on June 1, 2026 for the June
through August time period. Unless otherwise adjusted, the retention limit will be as follows:
- June 1 through June 30: 3 fish per vessel per day or trip
- Starting July 1, 2026, and on open days through August 31: 1 fish per vessel per day or trip
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