Bluefin Tuna Season Shut Down: Fishermen Told to Catch and Release
Published Date: 1/16/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting January 14, 2026, the General category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna will be closed until March 31, 2026. This means commercial fishermen with the right permits can’t keep or sell big bluefin tuna during this time but can still catch and release them. The fishery will reopen automatically on June 1, giving fishermen a fresh chance to fish and sell bluefin tuna again.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Bluefin Tuna General Fishery Closed Jan–Mar 2026
Starting 11:30 p.m. local time on January 14, 2026, commercial General category vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat vessels fishing commercially may NOT retain, possess, or land large medium or giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches / 185 cm curved fork length or greater) through March 31, 2026. During the closure you may still catch and tag-and-release bluefin tuna of any size if you follow the tag-and-release and safe-handling rules. The fishery will automatically reopen June 1, 2026 (initial retention limit: three large medium/giant BFT per vessel per day/trip), and on July 1, 2026 restricted-fishing days will begin and the retention limit on open days will decrease to one large medium/giant BFT per vessel per day/trip through August 31, 2026.
24-Hour Dealer and Vessel Reporting Requirement
Dealers must submit landing reports within 24 hours of receiving any bluefin tuna. Owners of General and HMS Charter/Headboat category vessels must report any BFT retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing(s) or the end of each trip via https://hmspermits.noaa.gov, the HMS Catch Reporting app, or by calling 888-872-8862. Late reporting can compromise quota monitoring and may result in enforcement actions.
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
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.
2026-10260 — Agency Information Collection Activities; Submission to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for Review and Approval; Comment Request; Regional Coastal Observing Systems (RCOS)
NOAA is asking for approval to keep collecting info from 11 groups involved in Regional Coastal Observing Systems. They’re updating the program’s name and cutting down the paperwork time, but the info they collect stays the same. This helps improve ocean safety, protect the environment, and boost the economy, with a small time commitment of about 75 hours per response.
2026-10318 — New England Fishery Management Council; Public Meeting
The New England Fishery Management Council is holding a public meeting on June 8, 2026, to discuss fishing rules for Atlantic herring and river herring and shad for 2027-2031. Fishermen, environmental groups, and local communities will be affected by these decisions, which could change how much fish can be caught and help protect fish populations. The meeting is open to the public and will be held both in Portsmouth, NH, and online.
2026-10322 — Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions; General Provisions for Domestic Fisheries; Application for Exempted Fishing Permits
The government is reviewing a special fishing permit request that would let certain boats fish in areas usually off-limits to protect habitats. This permit supports a project by the Coonamessett Farm Foundation to use clam dredges in the Great South Channel Habitat Management Area. People have until June 8, 2026, to share their thoughts, and this could change how some fishing rules apply, but no new fees are mentioned.
2026-10317 — Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Gulf of America Trophy Fishery for 2026
Starting May 21, 2026, the Gulf of America trophy fishery for big Atlantic bluefin tuna is closed for the rest of the year. This affects recreational anglers and charter boats with special permits, stopping them from catching or keeping these giant tunas. The closure helps protect the tuna population and follows international fishing rules.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-00846 — Radio Broadcasting Services; Various Locations
The FCC just cleaned up its FM radio channel list by removing some spots that were once empty but now have licensed stations after auctions. This update affects radio broadcasters in several towns and makes sure the official records match reality, with no extra costs or delays. The changes took effect on January 16, 2026, making the FM channel map neat and official!
Next: 2026-00871 — System for Regulating Rates and Classes for Market Dominant Products
Starting February 17, 2026, the Postal Regulatory Commission is making new rules to keep postal rate hikes for Market Dominant products to just once a year until 2030. They’re also tightening rules on discounts to make sure they better match actual cost savings. These changes affect the Postal Service and customers by aiming to keep prices fair and predictable.