Gulf of Mexico Bluefin Tuna Trophy Fishery Closed as of April 23, 2025
The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced the closure of the Atlantic bluefin tuna Angling category trophy fishery in the Gulf of Mexico, effective 11:30 p.m. local time on April 23, 2025. This closure applies specifically to recreational anglers targeting large medium and giant bluefin tuna (BFT) measuring 73 inches or greater.
The closure will remain in effect through December 31, 2025, and applies only to the trophy-sized fish within the Angling category in this specific region. This action was taken because the annual subquota for the Gulf of Mexico trophy fishery has been reached.
- Who is affected: Recreational anglers fishing in the Gulf of Mexico targeting bluefin tuna 73” or larger.
- What is prohibited: Retaining large medium or giant bluefin tuna (≥73”) under the Angling category.
- Where: Gulf of Mexico.
- When: April 23, 2025, at 11:30 p.m. local time through the end of the year (December 31, 2025).
All recreational anglers must comply with this closure, and any large medium or giant BFT caught in the Gulf during this time must be released immediately and in a manner that maximizes survival, as outlined in federal HMS (Highly Migratory Species) regulations.
Why This Closure Happens
The Gulf of Mexico’s Bluefin Tuna Trophy fishery was abruptly closed this season after only four giant bluefin tuna were landed. Although the Recreational Incidental Trophy Category is allowed 2.3 metric tons annually, the fishery was shut down after just 1.3 metric tons were landed.
The early closure wasn’t due to local overfishing, but rather because the Southern Trophy Category (covering waters south of 39°18’N latitude, off Great Egg Inlet, NJ, excluding the Gulf) significantly exceeded its own 2.3 metric ton allocation. In fact, that area landed more fish than all three other trophy regions combined. Strong fishing activity across the Atlantic resulted in most size-based bluefin categories exceeding their quotas, putting the U.S. in overage status for both 2024 and 2025.
This penalizes anglers in the Gulf, despite local harvest being well below the limit. To make matters worse, a Texas boat landed a bluefin after the closure and was fined. Separately, an angler without a permit was fined for catching a bluefin off a North Carolina pier—underscoring the abundance of Western Atlantic bluefin and the challenges of the current regulatory framework.
We at TBF understand these closures are a part of NMFS’s management strategy to keep harvests within established quotas and are implemented to ensure the long-term sustainability of the bluefin tuna stock. TBF also understands that closures such as these can be disappointing for anglers, particularly those who look forward to targeting bluefin trophy fish. The key is responsible fishery management, which helps secure access to these incredible species for future generations of anglers.
Since the Gulf of Mexico is recognized as a critical spawning ground for Atlantic bluefin tuna, it’s vitally important to reinforce careful management. This upcoming November, TBF will be committed to advocating for fair quotas during the international negotiations and will continue fighting to ensure fair access and sustainable recreational fishing opportunities exist in the Gulf.
