Gulf of Maine Trophy Tuna Season Slammed Shut for 2025
Published Date: 8/12/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting now, recreational fishers with special permits can’t catch big Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Maine for the rest of 2025. This means no trophy-sized or smaller bluefin tuna can be caught in this area, helping protect these amazing fish. If you’re planning a fishing trip, you’ll need to wait until next year to try for bluefin tuna here!
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Gulf of Maine Bluefin Closure
The Gulf of Maine angling fishery north of latitude 42° N is closed to catching Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) of all size classes for the remainder of the 2025 fishing year. This closure applies to recreational fishing from vessels with Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permits, and covers trophy BFT (73 inches / 185 cm curved fork length (CFL) or greater) as well as school and large school/small medium BFT (27 inches / 68.5 cm to less than 73 inches / 185 cm CFL).
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this federal register document means for your household, plus every other regulation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-14204, Lake Ontario National Marine Sanctuary; Delay of Effective Date
NOAA is giving everyone more time before the rule that bans grappling or anchoring on Lake Ontario shipwrecks kicks in. Instead of starting in July 2026, this rule is now delayed until September 2028 to let NOAA set up mooring buoys and work with divers and boaters. This means boaters and commercial vessels can keep anchoring safely while NOAA gets everything ready without rushing.
2026-14195, Rescinding the Definition of “Harm” Under the Endangered Species Act
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration are wiping away the official definition of “harm” under the Endangered Species Act starting September 14, 2026. This change affects anyone involved in protecting endangered plants and animals by shifting how “harm” is understood and enforced. It’s a big move that could change how projects and protections are handled, but no new costs or deadlines are added right now.
2026-05599, Deep Seabed Mining: Notice of Receipt of Applications for Deep Seabed Mining Exploration Licenses and Announcement of Public Comment Period and Virtual Public Hearings
NOAA got two applications from companies wanting to explore mining deep under the ocean floor. They’re holding virtual public meetings in April and want your thoughts by May 22, 2026. This affects anyone interested in ocean mining and how we protect our seas while exploring new resources.
2026-04256, Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Spatial Fisheries Management; Amendment 15 to the 2006 Consolidated Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Fishery Management Plan
Starting April 3, 2026, new rules change shark fishing zones and times in the Atlantic to better protect sharks and manage fishing risks. Fishermen using bottom and pelagic longline gear will see updated area boundaries and must pay for electronic monitoring if fishing in certain safer zones. These changes help keep shark populations healthy while supporting responsible fishing.
2026-17300, Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of America, and South Atlantic; Extension of the Commercial Shrimp Permit Moratorium in the Gulf of America
NMFS issues this proposed rule and seeks public comment on a management measure proposed in Amendment 19 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Shrimp Fishery of the Gulf (Shrimp FMP) and this proposed rule. If implemented by NMFS, Amendment 19 and this proposed rule would extend the moratorium on the issuance of new commercial shrimp permits in the Gulf of America (Gulf). NMFS implemented the existing shrimp permit moratorium, which is set to expire after October 26, 2026, to stabilize fishing effort and prevent overcapacity in the Gulf shrimp fishery. This proposed rule would extend this permit moratorium for an additional 10 years.
2026-17248, Pacific Fishery Management Council; Public Meetings
The Pacific Fishery Management Council is holding public meetings from September 16-21, 2026, in Vancouver, Washington, and online. These meetings affect fishermen, environmental groups, and coastal communities by discussing fishery rules, budgets, and habitat protection. You can join live, comment remotely, and stay updated on important fishery decisions that might impact fishing seasons and local economies.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-15238, Sunset of the Pathways Presidential Management Fellows Program
The government is ending the Pathways Presidential Management Fellows Program as part of a plan to shrink federal bureaucracy. This change affects current and future fellows, stopping new hires under this program soon. No new money will be spent on it, and the rules will be officially removed starting February 19, 2025.
Next: 2025-15288, Selection of Annuity Providers-Safe Harbor for Individual Account Plans; Withdrawal
The Department of Labor is pulling back a rule about picking annuity providers for retirement plans because lots of people had concerns. This affects companies managing individual retirement accounts and means no new changes will happen on July 1, 2025. If you’re involved in these plans, keep an eye out for future updates before making any big moves.