NOAA Mulls Special Tilefish Research Fishing Permit
Published Date: 7/17/2026
Notice
Summary
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is reviewing a special fishing permit request that would let certain fishing boats catch and process tilefish in ways normally not allowed. This change helps researchers collect important data to better manage fish populations. If you have thoughts, you’ve got until August 3, 2026, to speak up—so don’t miss your chance!
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 1 costs, 0 mixed.
Permit to Process Tilefish at Sea
If you are a federally permitted commercial tilefish vessel, an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) applicant asks to let up to 3 vessels process golden and blueline tilefish at sea for conversion-factor data collection from August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2027, with up to 12 trips per vessel (up to 36 total trips). The EFP would exempt participants from 50 CFR 648.295(c) (the landing condition) specifically to allow at-sea processing for this research.
Equipment and Handling Requirements for Participants
If you participate in the project, electronic monitoring camera systems with two cameras must be installed aboard each vessel and you must record whole-fish and fillet measurements on camera; participants must keep skin on all fillets, store fillets of each species separately, adhere to existing whole-fish weight limits, and transfer video/data after each trip. The project expects to sample about 450–500 tilefish total (approximately 12–15 fish per vessel per trip).
Research to Inform Potential Rule Change
The project aims to develop a conversion factor (fillet-to-whole-fish length and weight ratios) to improve tilefish stock assessment and to inform a potential regulatory change that could allow commercial tilefish fishermen to process these species at sea. The research is scheduled from August 1, 2026 to July 31, 2027 and would not create additional catch or effort.
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