Data / Federal rules / 2026-10816

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 May 29, 2026. It took effect on June 1, 2026.

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What the agency says

NMFS is adjusting the Angling category Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limit from the default of one school, large school, or small medium BFT to: two BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches (68.5 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) curved fork length (CFL), only one of which can be large school/small medium- sized fish (47 inches (119 cm) to less than 73 inches (185 cm) CFL) for private vessels with Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling category permits; three BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for charter boat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT; and six BFT per vessel per day/trip measuring 27 inches to less than 73 inches CFL, only one of which can be large school/small medium for headboat vessels with HMS Charter/Headboat permits when fishing recreationally for BFT. 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: 2026-10816
Type: Final rule
Action: Temporary rule; retention limit adjustment
Agency: Commerce Department; National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Published: May 29, 2026
Takes effect: June 1, 2026
Dates: Effective June 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, or until NMFS via a notice in the Federal Register announces another adjustment to the retention limit.
Docket: Docket No. 220919-0193; RTID 0648-XF784
Code of Federal Regulations: 50 CFR 635
Pages: 3

The document on federalregister.gov PDF

Other documents from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

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Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Pacific Cod by Catcher Vessels Using Trawl Gear in the Central Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 2026-21680	Final rule	Oct 23
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Fisheries Off West Coast States; Modification of the West Coast Salmon Fisheries; Inseason Action #1-#11 2026-21607	Final rule	Oct 22
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Pacific Cod in the Western Regulatory Area of the Gulf of Alaska 2026-21556	Final rule	Oct 21
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Modify Groundfish Season Timing in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands and Gulf of Alaska Groundfish Fisheries 2026-21507	Proposed rule	Oct 21
Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the General Category October Through November Fishery for 2026 2026-21450	Final rule	Oct 20
Fisheries of the Exclusive Economic Zone Off Alaska; Reallocation of Atka Mackerel in the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area 2026-21239	Final rule	Oct 16
Fishery Management Plans of St. Croix and St. Thomas and St. John; Spiny Lobster Management Measures 2026-21205	Proposed rule	Oct 16

Everything from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration · Published in May 2026

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.