NOAA Fisheries is seeking public comments on a proposed rule for the golden tilefish fishery that sets 2018-2020 quotas.
The proposed quotas are 14 percent lower than the 2017 quotas to ensure that overfishing doesn't occur. While golden tilefish is not overfished or experiencing overfishing, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council recommended this reduction based on the Scientific and Statistical Committee's evaluation of the fishery.
All other golden tilefish management measures, such as the 500-pound incidental trip limit and the recreational trip limit of eight fish, remain in effect.
If approved, these proposed quotas are expected to go into effect by November 1, the start of the golden tilefish fishing year.
For more details, read the notice as published in the Federal Register.
Please submit comments by Friday, September 22, either through the online e-rulemaking portal or by mailing John Bullard, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930. Please mark the outside of the envelope: "Comments on the Proposed Rule for Golden Tilefish Specifications."
Questions? Contact Jennifer Goebel at 978-281-9175 or jennifer.goebel@noaa.gov.