South Atlantic Tilefish Catch Limits Under Review
Published Date: 7/13/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The government wants to update fishing rules for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic to keep the fish population healthy and fishing fair. These changes affect fishermen and businesses by adjusting how much fish can be caught, based on the latest science. Comments on the plan are open until August 12, 2026, so now’s the time to speak up!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Catch limits raised for blueline tilefish
The proposed rule raises the total annual catch limit (ACL) for South Atlantic blueline tilefish from 233,968 lb to 314,058 lb. Applying existing allocations (50.07% commercial / 49.93% recreational) would raise the commercial ACL to 157,249 lb and the recreational ACL to 156,809 lb; NMFS estimates the commercial ACL increase could raise annual gross revenue for the fishery by $142,732 and about $1,073 per commercial vessel on average.
Commercial sale ban on ACL closures
If NMFS projects commercial landings will reach the commercial ACL (157,249 lb) during the fishing year, NMFS will close the commercial sector for the rest of the year; on the effective date of that closure all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited and harvest/possession is limited to recreational bag limits (which may be zero if recreational harvest is closed).
Recreational season length may increase
NMFS sets the recreational season length based on projected catch; the proposed recreational ACL is 156,809 lb and NMFS projects season end dates annually. The 2026 recreational season opened May 1 and was announced to close September 1, 2026, and NMFS estimates the higher recreational ACL may allow longer seasons under recent catch levels.
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Key Dates
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