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NOAA Fisheries closed commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the south Atlantic at 12:01 a.m. on August 2, 2023.

During the closure, all sale or purchase of blueline tilefish is prohibited and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from the south Atlantic federal or state waters is limited to the bag and possession limits, while the recreational sector is open. The bag limit is three fish with a three aggregate limit.

The current commercial catch limit is 117,148 pounds whole weight. NOAA Fisheries predicts this catch limit will be reached by August 2, 2023 and, according to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

Bag and possession limits apply in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for south Atlantic snapper-grouper, regardless of where such fish are harvested or possessed – i.e., in state or federal waters – while the recreational sector is open.

The 2024 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the south Atlantic will open on January 1, 2024, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 pounds whole weight.

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