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from NOAA Fisheries' Atlantic HMS Management Division
Welcome to our first HMS newsletter! This quarterly digest will feature the latest management updates, upcoming events, and important reminders.
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In a major win for America’s fishing industry, NOAA Fisheries is implementing increased bluefin tuna quotas after historic negotiations by the United States at the 2025 annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas. This action—alongside additional quota increases for bluefin tuna, North and South Atlantic swordfish, and North Atlantic albacore—will dramatically expand access, create new fishing opportunities, and provide greater flexibility for U.S. fishermen.
Bluefin Tuna (BFT) Increased 17% in Quota and Allowances
The U.S. baseline annual BFT quota increased from 1,316.14 to 1,509.98 metric tons (mt) following recent ICCAT negotiations.
The pelagic longline bycatch set-aside quota increased from 25 to 62.5 mt, granting U.S. fishermen significantly greater operational flexibility in the Atlantic in the vicinity of the ICCAT management area boundary and adjacent areas.
NOAA Fisheries also carried over 2025 underharvests, within applicable limitations, to the 2026 adjusted quotas for BFT, North and South Atlantic swordfish, and North Atlantic albacore. For BFT, 74.8 mt was added to the 2026 Reserve category quota.
NOAA Fisheries’ Commercial and Recreational Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fishery Status pages are great resources for more information.
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Angling Category Fishery Update
With the implementation of the bluefin tuna (BFT) quota increase, the recreational BFT fishery quota is now 341.3 metric tons (mt).
An estimated 21 mt were landed in the BFT trophy (>73” curved fork length) fishery, which closed in early August through the end of 2026. Landings estimates from mandatory catch reporting and the Large Pelagics Survey through the end of
June total:
- 38.5 mt of school BFT (27-<47”)
- 27.1 mt of large school/small medium BFT (47-<59”)
The July Large Pelagics Survey estimates are expected in early September.
Although limited quota transfer flexibility exists, at this point in time, this information suggests that, if recreational landings continue at the current pace, action may be needed in the fall to close the Angling category fishery. We will continue to monitor landings. Landings can be affected by various factors such as weather and BFT availability; these factors can greatly influence the potential need for inseason action later this year.
The chart below shows preliminary 2026 recreational BFT landings estimates to date (with anticipated estimates from July 1-August 15 based on reported landings) relative to the Angling category quota.
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NOAA Fisheries is soliciting comments through October 13 on a proposed rule to revise fishing gear regulations for buoy gear, speargun fishing gear, and bait collection gear in Atlantic HMS fisheries.
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Upcoming Events
Atlantic Shark Identification Workshop September 2 in Manahawkin, New Jersey
Fall 2026 HMS Advisory Panel Meeting September 9-10 in Silver Spring, Maryland
Safe Handling, Release, and Identification Workshop September 16 in Kenner, Louisana
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation's 2027 Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program Request for Proposals Due September 23
HMS Art Contest Announcement of 2026 Art Contest winners, 2027 Calendar, and opening of 2027 Art Contest. Entries are due January 31, 2027.
Remember to report your fish! It’s important, and in many cases required.
Reporting requirements for Atlantic HMS depend on the fishery and permit type. For more detailed information on HMS fishery requirements, download our recreational, commercial, or dealer compliance guides. Check out a summary of reporting requirements for Atlantic HMS.
Compliance guides and other summaries are not a substitute for the Atlantic HMS regulations found at 50 CFR 635.
Report your commercial bluefin tuna retained, but not sold
Please refer to our webpage with guidance on bluefin tuna retained but not sold. Commercial permit holders must report bluefin retained, but not sold, to NOAA Office of Law Enforcement at (978) 281-9213 to obtain a tag number for the fish.
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Questions? Contact the Highly Migratory Species Management Division at (301) 427-8503. We welcome feedback on how to improve this newsletter! |
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