NOAA reduces daily bluefin tuna catch limit for harpoon fishermen
/ 1 min read
Table of Contents
The National Marine Fisheries Service is lowering the number of Atlantic bluefin tuna that harpoon vessels can keep per day. The new limit is five large, medium, and giant fish combined, down from ten. This change applies to the remainder of the 2026 fishing season, which runs through November 15.
Why it matters: The change aims to spread out the allowable harvest over a longer period. By limiting how many fish can be kept each day, officials hope to avoid closing the harpoon category early due to high catch rates in June. This ensures that more fishermen have the chance to participate and land their share of the quota before the season ends.
Who it affects
- Commercial fishing vessels permitted for Atlantic bluefin tuna harvest using the harpoon method
This action was issued by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration through the Federal Register; verify the full text for exact regulatory code sections before relying on it.
Agency: Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Source: Federal Register — read the official document