SlotGaugeCheck a catchBluefin Tuna regulations in South Carolina
Atlantic Tunas · Saltwater · 2026 season
Bluefin Tuna size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| SC state & federal waters (HMS permit required) | Open year-round | Set by NOAA HMS — check before fishing | Set by NOAA HMS daily retention limit — check before fishing |
Notes
- SC does not print bluefin limits; NOAA sets a daily retention limit by permit category that changes during the year — check fisheries.noaa.gov before the trip.
- Federal HMS permit required. Every bluefin landed must be reported to NMFS within 24 hours.
Exact South Carolina Department of Natural Resources wording
- Season
- See NOAA HMS (federally managed; SC prints no state season)
- Size
- See NOAA HMS (SC prints no size)
- Limit
- See NOAA daily retention limit bulletin (SC prints no number)
- SC state & federal waters (HMS permit required) — as printed
- “Bluefin Tuna | | NOAA Fisheries has adjusted the Atlantic Bluefin tuna daily retention limits which applies to vessels permitted in the Highly Migratory Species Angling category and the HMS Charter/Headboat category. Visit https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/bulletin/bluefin-tuna-angling-category-daily-retention-limit-adjustment for detailed information regarding bag limits prior to fishing. | | See https://hmspermits.noaa.gov for for-hire vessel bag and size limits. All recreationally caught Atlantic billfish and Bluefin tuna landed must be reported to NMFS within 24 hours of landing at the dock.”
Source: South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, captured 2026-10-01 (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 South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, not Wikipedia.
All 106 South Carolina species A–Z →
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Bluefin Tuna in South Carolina?
Set by NOAA HMS — check before fishing in South Carolina state waters.
How many Bluefin Tuna can you keep per day in South Carolina?
Set by NOAA HMS daily retention limit — check before fishing.
When is Bluefin Tuna season in South Carolina?
Open year-round.
Is my Bluefin Tuna a keeper today?
Bluefin Tuna has no size limit today, with Set by NOAA HMS daily retention limit — check before fishing.