SlotGaugeCheck a catchBluefin Tuna regulations in Virginia
Highly migratory species · Saltwater · 2026 season
Is it a keeper? Bluefin Tuna has no size limit today, with Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required.
Bluefin Tuna size limit, season and daily limit
| Where | Season | Size limit | Daily limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Atlantic waters (NMFS HMS rules) | Open year-round | Set by NMFS | Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required |
Notes
- Virginia prints no state rule; bluefin tuna are managed by NOAA Fisheries HMS (hmspermits.noaa.gov) with size classes and daily retention limits that change in-season.
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 (BLUEFIN) ... 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 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 Virginia Marine Resources Commission, not Wikipedia.
Frequently asked
What is the size limit for Bluefin Tuna in Virginia?
Set by NMFS in Virginia state waters.
How many Bluefin Tuna can you keep per day in Virginia?
Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required.
When is Bluefin Tuna season in Virginia?
Open year-round.
Is my Bluefin Tuna a keeper today?
Bluefin Tuna has no size limit today, with Managed by NMFS HMS; a federal HMS permit is required.