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NOAA closed the Trophy Bluefin Tuna fishery within the Gulf of Maine Space. This rule is efficient as of August 4, 2026 and can final via December 31, 2026. This was the final open fishery for Trophy Bluefin Tuna. Now, that this fishery is closed, all 4 areas are closed for the rest of the yr, too.
What Modified within the Gulf of Maine
Anglers fishing aboard vessels with a Extremely Migratory Species Angling allow or a Extremely Migratory Species Constitution or Headboat allow can now not hold, possess, or land giant medium or big Bluefin Tuna within the Gulf of Maine Space.
That measurement class covers Trophy Bluefin Tuna measuring 73 inches curved fork size or better. Curved fork size is the usual manner NOAA measures a Tuna. It runs alongside the curve of the physique from the tip of the higher jaw to the fork of the tail.
Why NOAA Closed the Fishery
NOAA Fisheries based mostly the closure on landings information, stating that “the Gulf of Maine space trophy subquota has been reached and exceeded.” A subquota is the particular catch allowance NOAA units apart for one measurement class or area inside the broader Bluefin Tuna quota. So, as soon as anglers land sufficient fish to fill it, NOAA closes that fishery till it recovers.
The Gulf of Maine was the final open trophy space for 2026. NOAA closed each different Trophy Bluefin Tuna zone earlier within the yr, which is why this single closure ends the Trophy class nationwide. Industrial Bluefin Tuna fishing continues with none modifications beneath this closure.
All 4 Trophy Bluefin Tuna Areas Are Now Closed
NOAA Fisheries closed every Trophy Bluefin Tuna space individually over the course of 2026, as soon as landings crammed that space’s particular person subquota. Right here’s the complete timeline:
- Southern Space: closed on January 13, 2026.
- Gulf of America Space: closed on Might 21, 2026.
- Southern New England Space: closed on July 3, 2026.
- Gulf of Maine Space: closed on August 4, 2026.
With all 4 areas closed, anglers can not retain a Trophy Bluefin Tuna anyplace in Atlantic Extremely Migratory Species waters for the remainder of 2026.
What Anglers Can Nonetheless Fish For
The closure solely impacts giant medium and big Bluefin Tuna. Anglers with a sound allow can nonetheless goal and hold college, giant college, and small medium Bluefin Tuna, measuring 27 inches to lower than 73 inches. That fishery stays open all over the place besides the Gulf of America spawning grounds, which keep closed to Bluefin Tuna fishing year-round.
For anglers planning a Bluefin Tuna journey in Maine this fall, the smaller measurement courses nonetheless provide loads of alternative even with the trophy fishery closed. Anglers new to the fishery can discover extra on how Bluefin Tuna fishing works alongside the East Coast.
Have you ever landed a Bluefin Tuna within the Gulf of Maine this yr? What a couple of monster catch? Have you ever fished for Trophy Bluefin Tuna in any of the designated fisheries earlier than they closed for these monsters? Share your story within the feedback beneath.
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