SlotGaugeCheck a catchBluefin Tuna regulations in North Carolina
Tunas · Saltwater · 2026 season
Is it a keeper? Bluefin Tuna has no size limit today, with Federal HMS rules apply.
Bluefin Tuna size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) | Open year-round | No size limit | Federal HMS rules apply |
| Federal waters (3–200 mi) | Open year-round | No size limit | Federal HMS rules apply |
Notes
- HMS Angling permit required; every bluefin must be reported at an NC HMS reporting station before it leaves the boat. Size and daily retention limits are set by NOAA HMS and change during the year.
Exact NC Division of Marine Fisheries wording
- Season
- Federal HMS season
- Size
- Federal HMS size limits
- Limit
- Federal HMS limits (state defers)
- NC coastal waters (to 3 mi) — as printed
- “Tuna: Bluefin, Bigeye and Yellowfin (G) ... Prior to removal from vessel, all billfishes, swordfish and bluefin tuna must be reported at NC HMS reporting stations.”
Source: NC Division of Marine Fisheries, captured 2026-09-29 (2026 season).
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About the bluefin tuna
Index of animals with the same common name
Bluefin tuna is a common name used to refer to several species of tuna of the genus Thunnus.
Read more about Bluefin tuna on Wikipedia →
Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from NC Division of Marine Fisheries, not Wikipedia.
All 120 North Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Bluefin Tuna in North Carolina?
No size limit in North Carolina state waters.
How many Bluefin Tuna can you keep per day in North Carolina?
Federal HMS rules apply.
When is Bluefin Tuna season in North Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Bluefin Tuna a keeper today?
Bluefin Tuna has no size limit today, with Federal HMS rules apply.