Tuna Pirates Beware: Pacific Fishing Rules Tighten for 2025
Published Date: 5/23/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting in 2025, big fishing boats and longline vessels catching tropical tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean will follow new rules to protect tuna like bigeye, yellowfin, and skipjack. These changes help keep tuna populations healthy and make sure the U.S. sticks to international agreements. If you fish with large boats, get ready for updated limits and restrictions that will last through 2026 and beyond.
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
New tuna rules for large vessels
Starting in 2025, large purse seine vessels (class sizes 4–6 with carrying capacity of 182 metric tons or greater) and longline vessels over 24 meters that fish for bigeye, yellowfin, or skipjack tuna in the eastern Pacific Ocean must follow new limits and restrictions. These management measures implement IATTC Resolution C-24-01 (adopted September 2024) and will apply through 2026 and beyond.
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