Today, NOAA Fisheries announced the 2026 final specifications for the golden tilefish and the blueline tilefish fisheries, north of the Virginia/North Carolina border. Tables 1 and 2 outline the acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limits (ACL), annual catch targets (ACT), and total allowable landings (TAL), for both species.
Table 1. Golden Tilefish 2026-2027 Specifications
| 2026-2027 | |
| ABC | 1,878,338 lb |
| ACL | 1,878,338 lb |
| IFQ fishery ACT | 1,733,109 lb |
| Incidental fishery ACT | 91,216 lb |
| IFQ fishery TAL | 1,728,590 lb |
| Incidental fishery TAL | 68,949 lb |
Table 2. Blueline Tilefish 2026 Specifications
| 2026 | |
| ABC – North of NC/VA line | 452,200 lb |
| Recreational ACL / ACT | 330,106 lb |
| Commercial ACL / ACT | 122,094 lb |
| ACL Overage Adjustment | -43 lb |
| Adjusted Commercial ACL | 122,051 lb |
| Recreational TAL | 323,504 lb |
| Commercial TAL | 109,846 lb |
This action does not change the recreational management measures for either species.
