Final Rule to Revise Catch Levels for Golden Tilefish and Management Measures for Golden Tilefish and Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic

Key Message:

• For golden tilefish, NOAA Fisheries announces a revised fishing season for the commercial longline component, increased catch levels for the commercial and recreational sectors, updated sector allocations, and new recreational accountability measures through Amendment 52 to the Fishery Management Plan for Snapper-Grouper of the South Atlantic and the final rule.
• For blueline tilefish, the final rule for Amendment 52 changes the recreational bag and possession limits, and the accountability measures.

When Rule Will Take Effect:

• Regulations will be effective December 7, 2023.

What this means:

Amendment 52

• • Revises sector allocation from 97% to 96.70% for the commercial sector, and from 3% to 3.30% for the recreational sector.
  • Does not change the percentage allocation between the commercial hook-and-line and longline components.

The final rule

• • The final rule changes the start date for the fishing season for the golden tilefish commercial longline component from January 1 to January 15. 
  • Increases the catch levels for golden tilefish as specified in Table 1.
  • Reduces the recreational bag limit for blueline tilefish from three fish to two fish per person per day and prohibits retention of the bag limit by the captain and crew.
  • Removes the current in-season closure and stock status-based post-season accountability measures for golden tilefish and blueline tilefish.
  • Revises recreational accountability measures for golden tilefish and blueline tilefish.  NOAA Fisheries will project the length of the recreational season based on when the recreational annual catch limit would be expected to be met using catch rates from the previous fishing year.  

Table 1.  Current and new catch levels for golden tilefish.  ABC = acceptable biological catch; ACL = annual catch limit; HL = hook and line; LL= longline.

*Current catch levels use recreational information from the Marine Recreational Information Program Coastal Household Telephone Survey.  New catch levels use recreational information from the Marine Recreational Information Program Fishing Effort Survey.

Federal Register Citation: 88 FR 76696, published November 7, 2023.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why are changes in management of South Atlantic golden tilefish needed?

• Management measures of South Atlantic golden tilefish are being modified in response to the latest population assessment.
• The results of the latest assessment indicated that the stock is not undergoing overfishing (fish being removed from the population too quickly) and is not overfished (not enough fish in the population).

Why are changes to the commercial and recreational sector allocations for golden tilefish being considered?

• Sector allocations are based on historical landings.
• Estimates of recreational landings have changed slightly with the incorporation of the Marine Recreational Information Program’s Fishing Effort Survey method, which has replaced the Marine Recreational Information Program’s Coastal Household Telephone Survey.
• Current sector allocations are 97% commercial and 3% recreational.  Amendment 52 decreases the commercial allocation to 96.70% and increases the recreational allocation to 3.3%.

What are the new catch levels golden tilefish?

• The new catch levels for golden tilefish are provided in Table 1. 

Why are recreational accountability measures for blueline tilefish and golden tilefish being modified?

• Recreational landings exceeded the recreational annual catch limit for blueline tilefish every year from 2015 through 2020.
• The golden tilefish recreational annual catch limit was exceeded every year since 2010, except in 2014 and 2017.  
• Accountability measures for blueline tilefish and golden tilefish are being modified to prevent recreational landings from exceeding the respective recreational annual catch limits.

Why is the bag limit for blueline tilefish being reduced from three to two fish per person along with not allowing for-hire captain and crew to retain blueline tilefish?

• The measures to reduce the blueline tilefish bag limit from three to two fish per person per day and prohibit the retention of the bag limit by for-hire captain and crew will, in combination, be expected to keep the recreational landings of blueline tilefish from exceeding the recreational annual catch limit.

Where can I find more information on Amendment 52?

• Amendment 52 may be found online at the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office Website at: https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/action/amendment-52-changes-catch-levels-allocations-accountability-measures-and-management/.
• By Mail: Karla Gore

NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office, Sustainable Fisheries Division

263 13th Avenue South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33701-5505

By FAX: (727) 824-5308

By Phone: (727) 824-5305

Sign Up For Text Message Alerts - Find Out About Immediate Openings and Closures

NOAA's Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery-related alerts via text message (SMS).  Standard message & data rates may apply.  You may opt out at any time.

Text alerts you may receive include:

• Immediate fishery openings and closures
• Any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly

Sign up for one or more of the following groups:

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  • Text GULFRECFISH to 888777
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• South Atlantic Recreational Fisheries Related Alerts
  • Text SATLRECFISH to 888777
• South Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Related Alerts
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• Caribbean Fisheries-Related Alerts
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Quick Glance Contact List for the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office

Permits Mailbox:

The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701).  You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers.  Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application.  The mailbox will be checked daily.  For more information contact the Permits Office at 877-376-4877.

Media Contact: Allison Garrett, 727-551-5750 

Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan, 727-385-5202