NOAA Fisheries will close the Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) Angling category fishery for large medium and giant “trophy” BFT (measuring 73” or greater) in the northern area effective 11:30 p.m. local time on Thursday, July 26, 2018, through December 31, 2018.  The northern area is the area north of 39°18’N (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ).  

Note that the Angling category fishery for school, large school, or small medium bluefin tuna (27 to <73”) remains open in all areas except for the Gulf of Mexico, which is designated as bluefin tuna spawning grounds and where NOAA Fisheries does not allow targeted fishing for bluefin tuna.

As of July 26, 2018, the Angling category trophy bluefin tuna fishery will be closed in all areas for 2018.  NOAA Fisheries closed the 2018 Angling category trophy fishery for the southern area and Gulf of Mexico effective March 17 and May 13, respectively.  Catch-and-release fishing is permissible assuming proper handling techniques are employed to maximize survival of the fish without removing it from the water.

For more information about this visit NOAA here.