Blueline tilefish commercial harvest closed

Published 5:38 pm Monday, August 17, 2020

: Blueline tilefish. NOAA image

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In FB20-051 South Atlantic Fishery Bulletin, NOAA Fisheries closed the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic.

North Carolina Marine Fisheries Proclamation FF-33-2020 also closed the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in state waters.

The closure was effective at 12:01 a.m., Aug.11.

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

The fishery will re-open on Jan. 1, 2021 in both state and federal waters.