Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Closure of the General Category September Fishery for 2026
Key claim: NOAA Fisheries is closing the General category Atlantic bluefin tuna fishery for the rest of September 2026, waiving remaining restricted-fishing days so catch-and-release tagging can continue, and the fishery will reopen automatically on October 1, 2026.
Abstract
(Rule · Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NMFS closes the General category fishery for Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) for the remainder of the September time period. The General category may only retain, possess, or land large medium and giant (i.e., measuring 73 inches (185 centimeters (cm) curved fork length (CFL) or greater) BFT when the fishery is open. This action also waives the previously scheduled restricted-fishing days (RFDs) for the remainder of the September time period. With the RFDs waived during the closure, fishermen aboard General category permitted vessels and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels may tag and release BFT of all sizes, subject to the requirements of the catch-and- release and tag-and-release programs. On October 1, 2026, the fishery will reopen automatically and previously scheduled RFDs for the October through November time period will resume.
Why this matters
In-season closures of Atlantic bluefin tuna subcategories are the main lever NMFS uses to keep the General category commercial fishery within its monthly subquotas and the overall U.S. ICCAT allocation. The waiver of restricted-fishing days to preserve catch-and-release tagging shows how quota management is balanced against scientific monitoring needs, while the scheduled October 1 reopening signals that commercial handgear participants retain near-term access.