NOAA Shuts Down 2025 Bluefin Tuna Angling Fishery Early
Published Date: 8/12/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting now, recreational fishers with special permits can’t catch Atlantic bluefin tuna of any size for the rest of 2025. This means the Angling category fishery is officially closed to protect tuna populations. If you’re planning a fishing trip, you’ll need to wait until next year—no bluefin tuna bites allowed this season!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Charter/Headboat Tuna Trips Halted 2025
If you operate an HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessel and run recreational Atlantic bluefin tuna trips, you must stop harvesting bluefin tuna of any size for the remainder of the 2025 fishing year. The closure covers tuna measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL and trophy tuna 73 inches (185 cm) CFL or greater, and it applies when these vessels are fishing recreationally for bluefin tuna.
Recreational Bluefin Tuna Fishery Closed 2025
If you hold an HMS Angling permit, you cannot catch Atlantic bluefin tuna of any size for the remainder of the 2025 fishing year. The closure covers school and large school/small medium-sized tuna (27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length) and large medium and giant "trophy" tuna (73 inches (185 cm) CFL or greater). This rule also applies to HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreationally for bluefin tuna.
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