Federal Register #2026-15878

NOAA Closure of Gulf of Maine Trophy Bluefin Tuna Fishery for 2026

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), under the Department of Commerce, has issued a regulatory closure for the Angling category Gulf of Maine area trophy bluefin tuna fishery for 2026. - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Office of Sustainable Fisheries - No OEMs or commercial vendors are involved; this is a regulatory action, not a procurement. - Products/Services Requested: - Closure of the recreational fishery for large medium and giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (73 inches or greater) in the Gulf of Maine area - Applies to HMS Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels fishing recreationally - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Closure is enacted because the trophy bluefin tuna subquota (2.3 metric tons) has been reached and exceeded - Prohibits retaining, possessing, or landing trophy bluefin tuna in the specified area and period - Catch-and-release fishing is still permitted under strict handling guidelines - Implemented under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act - Effective from August 4, 2026, at 11:30 p.m. local time through December 31, 2026

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is closing the Angling category Gulf of Maine area fishery for large medium and giant Atlantic bluefin tuna (measuring 73 inches or greater). This closure applies to Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling and HMS Charter/Headboat permitted vessels fishing recreationally. The closure is effective from 11:30 p.m. local time on August 4, 2026, through December 31, 2026, to prevent overharvest of the trophy bluefin tuna subquota in the Gulf of Maine area. This action is a temporary rule under the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Atlantic Tunas Convention Act.

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