Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · New Jersey 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
New Jersey state record
NJ DEP Fish & Wildlife State Record Saltwater Fish · 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 New Jersey?
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 New Jersey?
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026.
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna season in New Jersey?
Open under in-season limits.
What is the New Jersey record Atlantic bluefin tuna?
1030 lb 6 oz, Off Pt. Pleasant (1981).
How current is this New Jersey 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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