NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULE: ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA FISHERIES; CLOSURE OF THE ANGLING CATEGORY SOUTHERN NEW ENGLAND AREA TROPHY FISHERY FOR 2026

WASHINGTON, July 6 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a rule called: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Angling Category Southern New England Area Trophy Fishery for 2026.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 6 by Kelly Denit, Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS closes the Angling category Southern New England area fishery for large medium and giant ("trophy" ( i.e, measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm)) curved fork length or greater)) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT). This action applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels when fishing recreati...