NOAA Closes Trophy Bluefin Tuna Fishery in Southern New England for 2026 Reading Time: 2 minutes

The Southern New England Trophy Bluefin Tuna fishery is closed as of today. NOAA Fisheries reviewed data and made a decision to close the fishery for 2026, starting July 3. The fishery stays closed until the rest of the year, through December 31, 2026.

A woman smiles as she sits with a Bluefin Tuna across her lap after on a successful Stellwagen Bank Bluefin fishing trip.
Photo courtesy of Cape Cod Offshore

Belowe is a full breakdown of why NOAA made this decision, what the closure means for you, where you can still fish for Bluefin Tuna, and more.

Why NOAA Closed the Fishery

NOAA regularly reviews the quota, and the latest data on Bluefin Tuna landings showed the Southern New England Area quota had been reached, and even exceeded. For this reason, NOAA had to immediately close this fishery. The closure applies to trophy Bluefin Tuna only and the Southern New England Area in particular.

What This Means for Anglers

Anglers fishing recreationally under a Highly Migratory Species Angling or Charter permit can no longer keep large Bluefin Tuna in the Southern New England area for the rest of the year. Here’s the closure’s overview:

  • What’s closed: Trophy Bluefin Tuna in the Southern New England Area
  • What’s considered trophy Bluefin Tuna: Bluefin Tuna measuring 73 inches or longer
  • When: July 3 – December 31, 2026
  • Applies to: Recreational fishing
  • Commercial fishing: Not affected

Can you still fish for Bluefin Tuna?

Map shows three Bluefin Tuna fishing regions on the U.S. East Coast: Gulf of Maine Trophy (blue color), Southern New England Trophy (light blue color), and Trophy South (green color), split by latitude lines.
Source and Credit: NOAA Fisheries

This closure only covers the biggest fish in one region (Southern New England), so there’s still plenty on the table. You can keep smaller Bluefin Tuna, measuring between 27 and less than 73 inches, up to two per vessel per day or trip.

Farther north, the Gulf of Maine trophy fishery is a separate program with its own quota, and it’s still open as of NOAA’s latest update. So, there’s still plenty of opportunity to target Bluefin Tuna in New England and land a trophy catch. Just don’t forget to check NOAA’s Atlantic Bluefin Tuna fishery statuses page for the latest updates before you head out.

How This Year Compares

While the news of the closure is always disappointing, it’s worth noting that the fishery actually stayed open longer this year than it has in past years:

  • 2026: Closed July 3 (about six months into the year).
  • 2023: Closed June 5 (about five months into the year)
  • 2025: Closed May 16 (about four and a half months into the year)

We are yet to see what 2027 brings.

Have you been aware of the trophy Bluefin Tuna closure in Southern New England? What do you think 2027 will be like? Hit the comment button below and ask us any Bluefin Tuna-related questions or share your thoughts with us.


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