Tilefish Harvest Quotas Set for Mid-Atlantic Waters
Published Date: 6/15/2026
Rule
Summary
Starting June 15, 2026, new fishing rules set how many golden and blueline tilefish can be caught north of the North Carolina/Virginia border. These limits help keep fish populations healthy while supporting both commercial and recreational fishers. If you fish or sell these tilefish, get ready for updated catch limits that balance fun, food, and the future!
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 3 costs, 0 mixed.
Big Increase in Blueline Tilefish Quotas
Starting June 15, 2026, blueline tilefish catch limits north of the North Carolina/Virginia border increase sharply: the commercial total allowable landings (TAL) rises by 426% to 109,846 lb (49.8 mt) and the recreational TAL rises by 350% to 323,504 lb (146.7 mt). The acceptable biological catch (ABC) is set at 452,200 lb (205.1 mt), and NMFS estimates this increased commercial TAL could authorize about $454,000 in commercial blueline tilefish value for 2026 (compared with about $67,000 in 2024).
Trip Limits and Possession Caps for Non-IFQ Vessels
Non-IFQ Federal commercial tilefish vessels remain prohibited from possessing more than 500 lb (227 kg) of gutted golden tilefish at any time (or 50% by weight of all species landed, whichever is less) and from possessing more than 500 lb (227 kg) of gutted blueline tilefish per trip; the Regional Administrator may reduce the blueline possession limit to 300 lb (136 kg) if 70% of the commercial TAL is landed. These limits do not apply to vessels authorized under Tilefish IFQ permits.
Small Overage Deduction Applied to Commercial Blueline ACL
NMFS applied a 43-lb (20 kg) overage deduction to the 2026 blueline tilefish commercial annual catch limit (ACL) based on final 2025 landings data; the adjusted 2026 commercial ACL is 121,051 lb (54.9 mt). The proposed rule had used a larger preliminary overage number, but the final deduction implemented is 43 lb (20 kg).
Golden Tilefish Specs Remain the Same
For 2026, golden tilefish specifications north of the North Carolina/Virginia border remain unchanged from 2025: ABC and ACL are set at 1,878,338 lb (852.0 mt), IFQ ACT is 1,733,109 lb (786.1 mt), IFQ TAL is 1,728,590 lb (784.1 mt), and incidental TAL is 68,949 lb (31.3 mt). NMFS states there is no new biological information or ACL overages requiring changes, so the fishery continues under the projected 2026 specifications.
Permits and Trip Reports Required for Recreational Vessels
Recreational vessels targeting golden or blueline tilefish must have the appropriate Federal vessel permit: Charter/Party Tilefish Permit for for-hire boats or Private Recreational Tilefish Permit for private vessels, and both permit types require submission of vessel trip reports. Recreational management measures themselves are unchanged for 2026.
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