Data / Federal rules / 2025-10954

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Angling Category Retention Limit Adjustment

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration published this final rule in the Federal Register on June 16, 2025. It took effect on July 1, 2025.

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What the agency says

NMFS has determined, based on consideration of the regulatory determination criteria regarding inseason adjustments, that the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit that applies to Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/ Headboat permitted vessels (when fishing recreationally for BFT) should be adjusted for the remainder of 2025, or until further modified. NMFS is adjusting the Angling category BFT daily retention limit to: one BFT per vessel per day/trip that can measure anywhere from 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL) for private vessels with HMS Angling permits, and two BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL, only one of which can be a large school/small medium-sized fish (47 inches (119 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL), for charter boat vessels and headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. If needed, NMFS could take another action later in the year to modify these retention limits or close the fishery. These retention limits are effective in all areas, except for the Gulf of America, where targeted fishing for BFT is prohibited.

Key facts

Document number: 2025-10954
Type: Final rule
Action: Temporary rule; retention limit adjustment
Agency: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Published: June 16, 2025
Takes effect: July 1, 2025
Dates: Effective July 1, 2025 through December 31, 2025 or until NMFS via the Federal Register announces another adjustment to the retention limit.
Docket: Docket No. 220919-0193
Code of Federal Regulations: 50 CFR 635
Pages: 5

The document on federalregister.gov PDF

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Everything from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · Published in June 2025

Read from the Federal Register API, last updated 2026-10-23. The document on federalregister.gov is the official record; dates and dockets can change through later corrections. Free to reuse with credit to SpecStream under CC BY 4.0.