NMFS shifts 15 tons of bluefin quota to the recreational large-school fishery

Recreational bluefin anglers have a larger large-school and small-medium subquota for the rest of 2026. National Marine Fisheries Service published a temporary rule on Oct. 15 transferring 15 metric tons from the Reserve category to the Angling category large school/small medium subquota. The transfer is effective Oct. 13 through Dec. 31.

The baseline for that size class was 173.4 metric tons. It is now 188.4. The Reserve, which had been adjusted to 42 metric tons, drops to 27. The overall Angling category quota rises from 341.3 metric tons to 356.3. The fish are available to HMS Angling permit holders and to HMS Charter/Headboat vessels when they are fishing recreationally. The large school/small medium fishery stays open through Dec. 31 or until the adjusted subquota is reached, whichever comes first.

NMFS said late-summer and fall recreational fishing shifts toward these mid-size bluefin as the fish spread along the East Coast, and that a transfer now should add harvest opportunity without blowing past the overall Angling quota. If landings run hotter or colder than expected, the agency can still change the daily retention limit or close the category. School bluefin stay on their own 157.2-metric-ton subquota and are not part of this transfer. Contacts are Larry Redd Jr. and Becky Curtis at (301) 427-8503.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Federal Register — Atlantic bluefin tuna Angling category quota transfer (91 FR 65472, Oct. 15, 2026).