Final rule · 2026-02626

Atlantic Highly Migratory Species; Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Fisheries; Longline Category Quota Transfer

NMFS is transferring 30.8 metric tons (mt) of Atlantic bluefin tuna (BFT) quota from the Reserve category to the Longline category. With this transfer, the adjusted Longline category quota for the 2026 fishing season is 240.1 mt and the adjusted Reserve category quota is 7.4 mt. The 2026 BFT Longline category is open until December 31, 2026, or until the Longline category quota is reached, whichever comes first. NMFS will distribute the transferred quota to permitted Atlantic Tunas Longline vessels with recent fishing activity. As a result of this transfer, each associated Individual Bluefin Quota (IBQ) account will receive 893 pounds (lbs) (0.4 mt) of IBQ. Note that NMFS intends to take separate action as soon as possible in 2026 to consider modifying the baseline BFT quota consistent with the quota adopted at the 2025 International Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting.