Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Massachusetts lists none of its own
HMS Angling permit required. Retention limits are adjusted in-season by NOAA — verify the current limit before keeping a fish.
NOAA HMS 2026 · checked · the official rulebook is the final word
Massachusetts state record
MA DMF Saltwater Game Fish Records · checked 2026-09-04
How to tell it
Massive girth, short pectoral fins that don't reach the second dorsal. More on the Atlantic bluefin tuna page: every state’s rule, the records, and how anglers catch it.
Atlantic bluefin tuna in other states19 rulebooks
Questions anglers ask5
What is the size limit for Atlantic bluefin tuna in Massachusetts?
27" curved FL min; keepable slot 27–<73". Measured as curved fork length: snout to the fork of the tail, along the curve of the body.
How many Atlantic bluefin tuna can you keep in Massachusetts?
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026.
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna season in Massachusetts?
Open under in-season limits.
What is the Massachusetts record Atlantic bluefin tuna?
1228 lb, Cape Cod Bay (1984).
How current is this Massachusetts Atlantic bluefin tuna rule?
Source: NOAA HMS 2026, last checked Sep 20, 2026. A watchman re-reads the agency's pages nightly. Rules change mid-season by proclamation; the official rulebook is the final word.
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