2026 commercial quota transfers: New York and Rhode Island bluefish to North Carolina, Virginia summer flounder to New Jersey
NMFS published three commercial quota transfers in the Federal Register on October 28 and 30. Rhode Island is transferring 100,000 pounds of its 2026 bluefish allocation to North Carolina, effective October 29 through December 31. New York also transferred bluefish quota to North Carolina, and Virginia transferred summer flounder quota to New Jersey. These transfers do not change recreational bag limits, size limits, or season dates.
NMFS published three commercial quota transfer notices in the Federal Register on October 28 and 30, 2026. Two move bluefish allocation to North Carolina from New York and Rhode Island; the third moves summer flounder allocation from Virginia to New Jersey. These are intra-season commercial adjustments. The Rhode Island transfer is 100,000 pounds, effective October 29 through December 31; the controlling notices are linked below.
New York is transferring a portion of its 2026 commercial Atlantic bluefish quota to North Carolina (Federal Register 2026-22007). Bluefish are in their coastal fall migration south through October and into November; commercial landings in North Carolina run into late fall as fish work through the Cape Hatteras and Cape Fear corridors. The transfer takes effect upon Federal Register publication.
Virginia is transferring a portion of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to New Jersey (Federal Register 2026-22003). Most recreational summer flounder seasons on the Atlantic coast closed earlier this fall. New Jersey and New York recreational summer flounder both closed October 15. The quota transfer applies to commercial fishing only.
None of these transfers changes recreational regulations. Bag limits, size limits, and season dates for both species in all Atlantic states remain as published by each state's marine fisheries agency. Current recreational rules are at /regulations/.
Update, October 30, 2026: NMFS published a second bluefish transfer to North Carolina (Federal Register 2026-22217, effective October 29 through December 31). Rhode Island is transferring 100,000 pounds of its 2026 commercial bluefish quota. NMFS says the transfer was requested so North Carolina would not exceed its 2026 state quota. The revised commercial quotas are 310,612 pounds for Rhode Island and 2,043,521 pounds for North Carolina. The notice is a commercial quota adjustment only and does not change recreational bluefish rules.
On the water: Rules and conditions can change quickly. Confirm current regulations and official marine forecasts for your exact trip.