Saving Seafood

NOAA Fisheries Announces Commercial Blueline Tilefish Fishery Closure

November 19, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is closing the commercial blueline tilefish fishery through the end of the fishing year, December 31, 2020.

Effective at 0001 hour on November 21, 2020 no vessel may retain or land blueline tilefish in or from the Tilefish Management Unit through December 31, 2020.

Landings information analyzed by NOAA Fisheries projects the commercial blueline tilefish fishery will meet 100 percent of the total allowable landings for the 2020 fishing year on November 21, 2020.

For more information, please read the notice as filed in the Federal Register, and the permit holder bulletin.

Read the full release here

Reminder: New Permitting and Reporting Requirements for Recreational Blueline and Golden Tilefish

August 11, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Beginning August 17, all recreational vessels fishing for blueline or golden tilefish must have a permit and report catch within 24 hours of returning to port.

Who Does This Impact?

  • Vessels fishing for or retaining tilefish from Virginia to Maine.
  • For-hire vessels holding an existing GARFO permit who take private recreational tilefish trips.
  • States may have additional permitting or reporting requirements for recreational fishing.

What Do I Need To Do?

  • Obtain a Private Recreational Tilefish Permit from the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO).
  • Report your trip with one of the available reporting options.

How Do I Get a Permit?

  • Start by registering an account on GARFO Fish Online.
  • Create a user name and password.
  • Existing permit holders may apply through their current Fish Online account.
  • Click Initial Private Recreational Tilefish Permit.

How Do I Report?

  • You must report all trips that either targeted or retained tilefish to GARFO within 24 hours of returning to port using an approved electronic vessel trip reporting (eVTR) system.
  • More information on recreational tilefishing can be found on our recent Bulletin.

MAFMC: New Permitting and Reporting Requirements for Recreational Blueline and Golden Tilefish

August 4, 2020 — The following was released by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

The Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office published a final rule on July 16, 2020 establishing permitting and reporting requirements for recreational vessels fishing for tilefish north of the North Carolina/Virginia border. Beginning on August 17, 2020, any recreational vessel that intends to target or retain blueline or golden tilefish will be required to:

  • Obtain a Federal private recreational tilefish vessel permit through the GARFO Fish Online website.
  • Submit electronic vessel trip reports (eVTRs) through a NMFS-approved eVTR application within 24 hours of returning to port from any recreational trip targeting or retaining tilefish.

Recreational tilefish anglers will be able to choose between several eVTR applications, which currently include the NOAA Fish Online mobile app (for Apple iOS devices), the NOAA Fish Online web portal, the SAFIS eTrips/mobile 2 application (for Apple, Android, and Windows 10 devices), and SAFIS eTrips Online

Coming Soon: New Recreational Tilefish Reporting App

In response to feedback from recreational fishermen related to this permitting/reporting action, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has been working with Harbor Light Software to develop a user-friendly application called “eFIN” where anglers can submit reports via Apple or Android devices. eFin was developed with input from private anglers and is designed to provide a simple, user-friendly interface. eFin is expected to be available for all users in the coming weeks. Updates on the availability of this application will be sent to the Council’s email list and posted on the Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting page.

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 11, 2020

August 3, 2020 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 11, 2020. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The current commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. The catch limit will increase to 117,148 pounds whole weight on August 17. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the new catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.

The 2021 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

FB20-051: Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on August 11, 2020

August 3, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on August 11, 2020. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

The current commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. The catch limit will increase to 117,148 pounds whole weight on August 17. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the new catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:
The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.

The 2021 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2021, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?SID=383bc195ccbeab4fd6bec1c24905df34&node=sp50.12.622.i&rgn=div6#se50.12.622_1193.

Reminder: New Permitting and Reporting Requirements for Recreational Blueline and Golden Tilefish

July 24, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

Beginning August 17, all recreational vessels fishing for blueline or golden tilefish must have a permit and report catch within 24 hours of returning to port.

Who Does This Impact?

  • Vessels fishing for or retaining tilefish from Virginia to Maine.
  • For-hire vessels holding an existing GARFO permit who take private recreational tilefish trips.
  • States may have additional permitting or reporting requirements for recreational fishing.

What Do I Need To Do?

  • Obtain a Private Recreational Tilefish Permit from the Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office (GARFO).
  • Report your trip with one of the available reporting options.

How Do I Get a Permit?

  • Start by registering an account on GARFO Fish Online.
  • Create a user name and password.
  • Existing permit holders may apply through their current Fish Online account.
  • Click Initial Private Recreational Tilefish Permit.

How Do I Report?

More information on recreational tilefishing can be found on our recent Bulletin.

Questions?

Final Rule Increases Annual Catch Limits for South Atlantic Blueline Tilefish

July 16, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

KEY MESSAGE:

  • NOAA Fisheries announces a final rule for Abbreviated Framework Amendment 3 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region, which increases the annual catch limits for South Atlantic blueline tilefish in response to the results of the latest population assessment.
  • The annual catch limits are based on acceptable biological catch recommendations from the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee.

WHEN RULE WILL TAKE EFFECT:

The Rule will be effective on August 17, 2020 .

SUMMARY OF CHANGES:

  • The final rule will increase the total and sector annual catch limits for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic, as follows (in pounds whole weight).

FORMAL FEDERAL REGISTER NAME/NUMBER: 85 FR 43145, published July 16, 2020.

This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.

Where can I find more information on Abbreviated Framework Amendment 3?

  • Contact NOAA Fisheries, Southeast Regional Office

By Mail:

Mary Vara
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

NOAA Fisheries Announces Final 2020 Blueline Tilefish Commercial and Recreational Fishery Specifications

February 14, 2020 — The following was released by NOAA Fisheries:

NOAA Fisheries is finalizing blueline tilefish quotas for the 2020 fishing year that we previously announced as projected on February 12, 2019. There have been no overages in the Greater Atlantic Region in 2019, and there is no new biological information, so we are now finalizing the 2020 quotas. The quotas are the same as in 2019.

Approved measures include acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limit (ACL), and total allowable landings (TAL) for the commercial and recreational fisheries.

All other requirements remain the same.

For more details, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today and the permit holder bulletin posted on our website.

Read the full release here

Federal Fishery Managers Approve Measures for Red Snapper, Mackerel, Blueline Tilefish

December 6, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

Members of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council met this week in Wilmington, North Carolina and approved management measures, that if approved by the Secretary of Commerce, will provide flexibility for red snapper seasons, increase trip limits for the commercial king mackerel fishery, and allow additional harvest of blueline tilefish.

Each year, NOAA Fisheries determines if a season for red snapper can occur in federal waters in the South Atlantic. Under current regulations, if the number of days is less than three, the fishery will not open. This applies to both recreational and commercial sectors. The Council approved Regulatory Amendment 33 to the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan for formal review by the Secretary of Commerce that would eliminate that requirement, providing more flexibility should a shortened season be allowed. After much discussion, the Council decided not to move forward with an action to change the opening date of the commercial red snapper season within the regulatory amendment.

While Council members are well-aware that fishermen are anxious to have additional days added to the red snapper season as the stock continues to rebuild, the Council must abide by annual catch limits until a stock assessment is completed. The Council has approved measures that will help shorten the time required for a new red snapper stock assessment through the Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) stock assessment program. The new assessment is scheduled to begin in 2021.

Mackerel

The Council also approved measures to increase the commercial king mackerel trip limit in the Atlantic Southern Zone, south of the Flagler/Volusia County line in Florida during season two. Framework Amendment 8 to the Coastal Migratory Pelagic Fishery Management Plan would set the trip limit at 100 fish throughout season two, with no step-up during the month of February. Earlier this year, the Council requested NOAA Fisheries increase the trip limit from 50-fish to 75-fish after hearing concerns from fishermen that they were not able to harvest the full commercial annual catch limit due to the more restrictive trip limits. The 75-fish increase was approved by NOAA Fisheries through emergency rule for the 2019/2020 season beginning October 1st. The Council’s intent is to have the new regulations in place for the 2020/2021 season.

Measures for the Spanish mackerel commercial fishery were also discussed. The Council is considering reducing the current trip limit of 3,500 pounds in the Northern Zone (NC/SC line through NY) to help extend the season, with alternatives ranging from 1,500 to 2,500 pounds and a preferred trip limit of 2,000 pounds. Public hearings will be held via webinar in late January or early February.

Blueline Tilefish

The most recent stock assessment for blueline tilefish was conducted in 2017 as a joint assessment between the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council. The deep water fishery primarily occurs in the South Atlantic, but landings have increased north of North Carolina. Following the stock assessment, the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee provided recommendations for catch level increases. The Council considered options for implementing the increases and moved forward with final approval of Abbreviated Framework Amendment 3 during its meeting this week. If approved by the Secretary of Commerce, the amendment will increase the annual catch limit for blueline tilefish from 174,798 pounds (whole weight) to 233,968 pounds (whole weight).

Additional information about the December Council meeting, including an interactive story map, committee reports, and summary motions is available from the Council’s website at: https://safmc.net/safmc-meetings/council-meetings/. The next meeting of the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is scheduled for March 2-6, 2020 in Jekyll Island, GA.

Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 30, 2019

July 25, 2019 — The following was released by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council:

WHAT/WHEN:

The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on July 30, 2019. During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited, and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from federal waters is limited to the recreational bag and possession limits while the recreational sector is open.

WHY THIS CLOSURE IS HAPPENING:

  • The 2019 commercial catch limit is 87,521 pounds whole weight. According to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

AFTER THE CLOSURE:

  • The closure applies in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper.
  • The 2020 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2020, with a commercial catch limit of 87,521 pounds whole weight.

This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Federal Register or at https://www.ecfr.gov.