If you’re targeting bluefin tuna this season, NOAA Fisheries just handed recreational anglers a welcome bump in what they can bring home. New daily retention limits take effect June 1, 2026 and run through December 31 — here’s the breakdown by vessel type.
| Vessel Type | Daily Retention Limit (per vessel, per day/trip) |
|---|---|
| Private vessels with HMS Angling permits | 2 bluefin tuna, 27″ to <73″ curved fork length — only 1 may be a large school/small medium (47″ to <73″) |
| Charter boats with HMS Charter/Headboat permits (recreational fishing) | 3 bluefin tuna, 27″ to <73″ curved fork length — only 1 may be a large school/small medium (47″ to <73″) |
| Headboats with HMS Charter/Headboat permits (recreational fishing) | 6 bluefin tuna, 27″ to <73″ curved fork length — only 1 may be a large school/small medium (47″ to <73″) |
Important: These are per-vessel, per-day/trip limits — not per-angler. If you’re running a two-day offshore trip, you can only land up to one day’s limit when you pull into the dock.
The new limits apply across the Atlantic coast. The Gulf of America is excluded — NOAA does not allow targeted bluefin tuna fishing there.
NOAA may revisit these limits or close the fishery later in the year depending on how the season develops.
Who Is Affected?
The changes apply to anyone fishing recreationally on a vessel with an HMS Angling permit (private boats) or an HMS Charter/Headboat permit (charter and party boats). If that’s your permit, these are your new rules as of June 1.
Catch Reporting
All HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permit holders are required to report every bluefin tuna retained or discarded dead within 24 hours of landing. You can report three ways:
- Online via the HMS Permit Shop
- Through the HMS Catch Reporting app
- By phone: 888-872-8862 (Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.)
For the full regulatory details, visit NOAA’s official action page.
