From the National Marine Fisheries Service:

Update on Tuna Bag Limits:

The recreational daily bluefin tuna (BFT) retention limit through May 31, 2007, is 2 BFT (47 inches to less than 73 inches) per vessel per day/trip, effective in all areas, for the entire fishing year. Also, vessels fishing under the Angling category may retain 1 BFT (73 inches or greater) per vessel per year as a “trophy” fish for the boat. The recreational yellowfin tuna daily retention limit is 3 yellowfin/person. The minimum size for yellowfin and bigeye tuna is 27" curved fork length. There are no recreational limits for bigeye, skipjack or albacore tunas.

Update on Other Highly Migratory Species Bag Limits:

The recreational daily swordfish retention limit is 1 fish per person, with a maximum of 3 fish per vessel. The minimum size for swordfish within the recreational fishery is 47 inches, lower jaw-fork length.

There are no retention limits for Atlantic blue marlin, white marlin and sailfish, but the NOAA Fisheries encourages recreational anglers to release all billfish alive.
You may not keep longbill spearfish.

The minimum sizes for billfish are as follows:
-- Blue Marlin: 99 inches lower jaw fork length;
-- White Marlin: 66 inches lower jaw fork length;
-- Sailfish: 63 inches lower jaw fork length;
-- Spearfish: Retention prohibited.

Lower jaw fork length is a straight line measurement from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the caudal fin.

The recreational limit on sharks is 1 shark per vessel per trip with a minimum size of 54 inches fork length; plus on Atlantic sharpnose shark per person per trip(no minimum size); plus 1 bonnethead hark per person per trip (no minimum size).

None of these fish may be sold, and all must be reported.

* * *

Back to Top