Effective April 30, 2017, through December 31, 2017, the bluefin tuna (BFT) daily retention limits are the following.

For HMS Angling-permitted vessels: 2 school BFT (27 to <47") + 1 large school/small medium BFT (47 to <73");

For HMS Charter/Headboat-permitted vessels: 3 school BFT + 1 large school/small medium BFT. These limits are effective for all areas except the Gulf of Mexico.

The recreational BFT trophy fishery (73"+) is currently open north of 39°18' (off Great Egg Inlet, NJ) as well as in the Gulf of Mexico with a limit of 1 BFT measuring 73" or greater/vessel/year. For further information, see notices in library (at left). The recreational yellowfin tuna retention limit is 3/person/day or trip. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length.

There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack, or albacore tunas...