NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION ISSUES RULE: ATLANTIC HIGHLY MIGRATORY SPECIES; ATLANTIC BLUEFIN TUNA FISHERIES; CLOSURE OF THE HARPOON CATEGORY FISHERY FOR 2026

WASHINGTON, July 20 -- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has issued a rule called: Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the Harpoon Category Fishery for 2026.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 20 by Shannon Bettridge, Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service.

Summary: NMFS closes the Harpoon category fishery for large medium and giant ( i.e, measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm)) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the 2026 fishing year. This closure applies to Atlantic Tunas Harpoon category permitted vessels.

For more information, contact Larry Redd, Jr, larry.redd...