As reported in our June 9, 2025 weekly edition, NOAA Fisheries has radically reduced the recreational regulations on bluefin tuna this season, to just one school bluefin from 27 to less than 47 inches for private vessels, and two school bluefin for both charter and head boats. The decision was immediately felt in New Jersey as the BlueFin Open tournament was promptly cancelled.
“Due to unforeseen NOAA Fisheries regulations, the Manasquan River Marlin and Tuna Club has elected to cancel the 2025 BlueFin Open tournament. While the MRMTC Tournament committee recognizes that a tournament can happen with a ‘one fish – 27 to < 47 inch’ fish limit, we feel that this does not meet the standard of event we wish to host,” the club noted in a bulletin.
Members of the Manasquan River Marlin and Tuna Club (MRMTC) noted how they did not arrive at this decision lightly. “The tournament committee feels that rather than host a sub-par tournament, it is in the best interest of our participants, generous sponsors and fan base to cancel, with the hopes of revisiting the tournament in 2026,” MRMTC noted.
All pre-registered participants and sponsors of the June 16-22 event can expect a full refund which MRMTC noted will take roughly 14 days to process. “While this is a very disappointing outcome for all of us, we truly hope that our participants understand that we are making this decision with their best interest in mind,” the press release stated.
Learn more about MRMTC and upcoming events by visiting mrmtc.com.
