Federal rule (NOAA Highly Migratory Species) · Rhode Island 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
Rhode Island state record
RI DEM Saltwater Sportfish Records · checked 2026-08-23
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 Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island?
Private vessels: 2 per vessel per day (only 1 of 47–<73"); trophy 73"+ closed for 2026.
When is Atlantic bluefin tuna season in Rhode Island?
Open under in-season limits.
What is the Rhode Island record Atlantic bluefin tuna?
1,142 lb 12 oz, Block Island (1971).
How current is this Rhode Island 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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