Swordfish and Tuna Get New Quota Limits from NOAA
Published Date: 8/19/2026
Rule
Summary
In this final rule, NMFS is implementing binding recommendations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) on quotas for North Atlantic swordfish, South Atlantic swordfish, North Atlantic albacore tuna (northern albacore), and Atlantic bluefin tuna, including aspects of the management procedures for North Atlantic swordfish and northern albacore. For bluefin tuna, this action implements the increased U.S. baseline quota adopted by ICCAT in 2025, dividing it among the established regulatory domestic subquota categories, and implements changes to the bluefin tuna quota associated with pelagic longline bycatch adopted by ICCAT in 2025. Finally, this action transfers 30.8 metric tons (mt) of bluefin tuna quota from the Longline category to the Reserve category and temporarily adjusts the baseline quotas for U.S. North and South Atlantic swordfish, northern albacore, and the Atlantic bluefin tuna Reserve category for 2026 based on 2025 underharvests and applicable international quota transfers.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
U.S. bluefin tuna quota increased
NMFS implements a higher U.S. baseline bluefin tuna quota of 1,509.98 metric tons (mt) effective August 19, 2026, and a pelagic longline bycatch set-aside of 62.5 mt, producing a 2026 annual total U.S. quota of 1,572.48 mt. NMFS divides the new baseline among the existing domestic category subquotas (General, Harpoon, Longline, Trap, Angling, Reserve, etc.).
Pelagic longline bycatch set-aside raised and reallocated
NMFS increases the pelagic longline bluefin tuna bycatch set-aside from 25 mt to 62.5 mt and will allocate that 62.5 mt to pelagic longline IBQ (Individual Bluefin Quota) shareholders with IBQ shares designated for the Atlantic region. NMFS will distribute the 62.5 mt to 2026 Atlantic IBQ shareholders based on each shareholder's IBQ percentage for the remainder of 2026.
30.8 mt longline-to-reserve transfer and 2025 carryover added
NMFS transfers 30.8 mt of bluefin tuna quota from the Longline category to the Reserve category and carries forward a 2025 bluefin underharvest of 74.8 mt to 2026. After these actions, the adjusted 2026 Reserve category quota is 112.2 mt (37.4 mt after the transfer, plus 74.8 mt underharvest carryover).
North Atlantic swordfish 2026 quota adjusted upward
NMFS adjusts the 2026 U.S. North Atlantic swordfish quota to 3,378.2 mt dressed weight (dw) effective August 19, 2026, reflecting the baseline quota of 2,937.6 mt dw plus a 440.6 mt dw carryover. For 2026 the allocation is 3,028.2 mt dw to the directed category, 300 mt dw to the incidental category, and 50 mt dw to the Reserve.
Northern albacore 2026 quota carryover applied
NMFS adjusts the U.S. 2026 northern albacore quota to 1,111.8 mt (baseline 889.4 mt plus a 222.4 mt carryover) as allowed under the existing quota carryover rules. This adjusted quota is effective August 19, 2026.
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.
2026-16758, Takes of Marine Mammals Incidental to Specified Activities; Taking Marine Mammals Incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington
In accordance with the regulations implementing the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA), as amended, notification is hereby given that NMFS has issued a renewal incidental harassment authorization (IHA) to Petrogas Pacific, LLC (Petrogas) to harass marine mammals incidental to Ferndale Pier Maintenance Activities in Ferndale, Washington.
2026-16756, Notice of Intent To Prepare an Environmental Analysis Assessing Potential Modifications to the Atlantic Large Whale Take Reduction Plan To Reduce Mortality and Serious Injury of Large Whales in Commercial Trap/Pot and Gillnet Fisheries Along the U.S. East Coast
NOAA is planning to review and possibly change rules to protect big whales like right, humpback, and fin whales from getting hurt or killed by fishing gear along the U.S. East Coast. These changes will affect commercial trap/pot and gillnet fisheries, aiming to keep whales safe while supporting fishing businesses and coastal communities. Public input is open until October 16, 2026, as they work on an environmental study to find the best solutions.
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2026-16846, Establishing the National Fraud Enforcement Division
This rule amends Part 0 of the Department of Justice's ("Department") organizational regulations in title 28 of the Code of Federal Regulations to establish the National Fraud Enforcement Division ("Fraud Division") and set forth its authorities.
Next: 2026-16887, Standard Instrument Approach Procedures, and Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure Procedures; Miscellaneous Amendments
This rule establishes, amends, suspends, or removes Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPS) and associated Takeoff Minimums and Obstacle Departure procedures (ODPs) for operations at certain airports. These regulatory actions are needed because of the adoption of new or revised criteria, or because of changes occurring in the National Airspace System, such as the commissioning of new navigational facilities, adding new obstacles, or changing air traffic requirements. These changes are designed to provide safe and efficient use of the navigable airspace and to promote safe flight operations under instrument flight rules at the affected airports.