Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Framework 2 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan

This final rule implements the management measures contained in Framework Adjustment 2 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan and adjusts the 2018 specifications for this fishery. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council developed Framework Adjustment 2 to improve and simplify the administration of the golden tilefish fishery. These changes include removing an outdated reporting requirement, proscribing allowed gear for the recreational fishery, modifying the commercial incidental possession limit, requiring commercial golden tilefish be landed with the head and fins attached, and revising how assumed discards are accounted for when setting harvest limits. Based on new regulations implemented by this rule, this action updates previously published specifications for the commercial golden tilefish fishery for 2018 and projected specifications for 2019 and 2020.