Giant Bluefin Tuna Trophy Hunt Shut Down for 2026 Season
Published Date: 1/14/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting January 14, 2026, the southern area trophy fishery for big Atlantic bluefin tuna is closed for the whole year. This affects recreational anglers and charter boats with special permits who target these giant tunas. The closure helps protect the tuna population and means no catching or keeping trophy-sized fish in this area until 2027.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Southern Trophy Fishery Closed in 2026
Starting 11:30 p.m. local time on January 13, 2026, you may not retain, possess, or land trophy Atlantic bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches / 185 cm curved fork length or greater) south of 39°18' N latitude and outside the Gulf of America through December 31, 2026. This closure applies to recreational fishing from vessels under the HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permits and is taken because the Angling southern-area trophy subquota has been reached.
Charter/Headboat Revenue Impact
Charter and headboat operators fishing recreationally under HMS Charter/Headboat permits cannot retain, possess, or land trophy Atlantic bluefin tuna (≥73 inches / 185 cm curved fork length) south of 39°18' N latitude and outside the Gulf of America from 11:30 p.m. local time on January 13, 2026 through December 31, 2026. This restriction may reduce revenue for businesses that sell trips targeting trophy-sized bluefin in that southern area.
Catch Reporting Within 24 Hours Required
Owners of HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels must report the catch of all Atlantic bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing or trip end using https://hmspermits.noaa.gov, the HMS Catch Reporting app, or by phone at (888) 872-8862. This reporting requirement remains in effect while NMFS monitors the fishery.
Catch-and-Release Still Allowed
During the southern-area trophy closure (from 11:30 p.m. local time January 13, 2026 through December 31, 2026) anglers aboard permitted HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat vessels may continue to catch-and-release or tag-and-release Atlantic bluefin tuna of any size, provided they follow catch-and-release and tag-and-release program rules and handle released fish to maximize survival and avoid removing fish from the water. Safe-handling guidance is available from NOAA Fisheries.
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