Massachusetts gives North Carolina some of its bluefish quota

Massachusetts is transferring a portion of its 2025 commercial bluefish fishing quota to North Carolina. This means North Carolina fishermen can catch more bluefish next year, and Massachusetts fishermen will catch less.

Fishing quotas are usually set at the federal level and are difficult to change. This transfer shows that states can negotiate directly to adjust their shares. It creates a precedent for other states to trade fishing rights, which could lead to more efficient use of fish stocks across regions.