No more trophy bluefin tuna fishing in the Gulf of Mexico for 2025

US fisheries regulators have banned recreational fishing for large Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Mexico for the entire 2025 season. This means anglers on permitted vessels cannot catch or keep any bluefin tuna measuring 73 inches or more in that area.

This rule closes a specific fishery for a full year, directly impacting recreational anglers and charter boat operators who target these large fish. It shows regulators are willing to completely shut down a popular fishing segment to manage fish populations. This kind of full-season closure is a strong signal about the health of the bluefin tuna stock.