The (NOAA) Shuts Down Recreational Harvest Of Atlantic Bluefin

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shut down recreational harvest of Atlantic bluefin tuna on Aug. 12 (effective 11:30 p.m.), after projections showed the quota had been met. The closure will remain in place through the end of 2025 and applies to anglers from Maine to the Carolinas. 

For North Carolina and South Carolina fishermen, this means the recreational bluefin season is officially over, well before most fall offshore trips even get underway. The closure covers all recreational size classes of bluefin tuna, though it does not impact the commercial bluefin fishery, which operates under separate categories and quotas.

The news comes after a banner 2024 bluefin season, which saw heavy action from the Northeast down through the Mid-Atlantic. In the Northeast, massive schools of 27- to 47-inch fish pushed close to shore, drawing both private and charter vessels in droves. NOAA estimates that the recreational quota was exceeded by at least 50 percent last year.

To curb another overage, NOAA reduced retention limits for 2025: private vessels with a Highly Migratory Species (HMS) permit were allowed just one school-sized bluefin; charter and head boats were allowed two. Fish longer than 47 inches could only be kept with a commercial license. These rules went into effect on June 3.

Despite the stricter limits, June reports from Carolinas anglers echoed the 2024 pattern, solid nearshore bites with plenty of bluefin activity. Unfortunately, the reduced limits weren’t enough to slow the pace, and just over two months into the season, NOAA has pulled the plug.

For Carolina offshore anglers, the closure means shifting focus to other pelagic species like yellowfin tuna, mahi, and wahoo for the rest of the year.

Story By: Angler & Sportsman Staff