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Bigeye Tuna regulations in Virginia

Highly migratory species · Saltwater · 2026 season

Bigeye Tuna
Is it a keeper? Bigeye Tuna has no size limit today, with Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required.

Bigeye Tuna size limit, season and daily limit

WhereSeasonSize limitDaily limit
Atlantic waters (NMFS HMS rules)Open year-roundSet by NMFSManaged by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required

Notes

Exact Virginia Marine Resources Commission wording

Season
See federal rules
Size
See federal rules
Limit
See federal rules
Atlantic waters (NMFS HMS rules) — as printed
“TUNA (YELLOWFIN, BIGEYE) ... Info: Managed by NMFS - http://www.hmspermits.gov/”

Source: Virginia Marine Resources Commission, captured 2026-09-21 (2026 season).

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About the bigeye tuna

Bigeye tuna

Species of fish

The bigeye tuna is a species of true tuna of the genus Thunnus, belonging to the wider mackerel family Scombridae. Bigeye tuna are found in the open waters of all tropical and temperate oceans, but not in the Mediterranean Sea.

Read more about Bigeye tuna on Wikipedia →

Text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Regulations on this page come from Virginia Marine Resources Commission, not Wikipedia.

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Frequently asked

What is the size limit for Bigeye Tuna in Virginia?

Set by NMFS in Virginia state waters.

How many Bigeye Tuna can you keep per day in Virginia?

Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required.

When is Bigeye Tuna season in Virginia?

Open year-round.

Is my Bigeye Tuna a keeper today?

Bigeye Tuna has no size limit today, with Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required.