Reminder: Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting Requirements

During the December Council Meeting, a representative from NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement reported that a New Jersey based recreational vessel operator was recently issued a $500 fine for possession of a blueline tilefish without the required permit. As a reminder, if you own or operate a private recreational vessel and target tilefish from Virginia northward, you must have a recreational tilefish permit and submit a trip report within 24 hours of returning to port from any trip where tilefish were targeted (even if none were caught or kept). These rules also apply to for-hire vessels taking private recreational trips.

  • Get a permit: To apply for a permit, visit the NOAA Fisheries’ Fish Online website, create an account, and select “Initial Private Recreational Tilefish Permit.” Please note that this is a vessel permit – you only need one if you are the owner or operator of the vessel.

  • Report your catch: Several electronic vessel trip reporting (eVTR) applications are available to choose from. Visit the eVTR Software Options page to learn more.

These requirements were implemented because we do not currently have good estimates of how many golden and blueline tilefish are being caught by recreational anglers each year. Consistent and accurate reporting helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the tilefish fisheries.

Fishing for or keeping tilefish without a permit can result in a civil violation of $500. If you think there’s a chance you might target tilefish – even on a trip for another species such as tuna or swordfish – you should apply for a free permit and select an electronic reporting application.

Visit the Council’s Recreational Tilefish Permitting and Reporting page to learn more.

Clarification: Golden Tilefish Recreational Closure in South Atlantic Waters

On June 12 NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office announced that the 2019 recreational fishing season for golden tilefish in South Atlantic federal waters would close on June 17, 2019. This closure only applies to the recreational fishery in federal waters south of the Virginia/North Carolina border.

The recreational golden tilefish fishery managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council in federal waters north of the VA/NC border is not closed.

For additional information about the South Atlantic golden tilefish closure, please see the bulletin posted on the Southeast Regional Office website, or visit the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council website.

For information about management of golden tilefish in the Mid-Atlantic (north of the VA/NC border), please visit https://www.greateratlantic.fisheries.noaa.gov/sustainable/species/tilefish/index.html.

NOAA Fisheries Announces the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council Acceptable Biological Catch Omnibus Framework Adjustment

April 10, 2018 – The following was released by NOAA Fisheries Greater Atlantic Regional Office:

NOAA Fisheries announces three administrative changes to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s processes in setting catch limits though the Acceptable Biological Catch Omnibus Framework Adjustment:

  1. The Council may now recommend multi-year Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) limits for Mid-Atlantic fisheries, which may bring greater stability and predictability to the fishing industry;
  2. The Atlantic Bluefish, Tilefish, and Atlantic Mackerel, Squid, and Butterfish Fishery Management Plans will now automatically incorporate the best available scientific information in calculating ABCs (as all other Mid-Atlantic management plans do) rather than requiring a separate management action to adopt them; and
  3. New language clarifies the process for setting ABCs for each of the four types of ABC control rules.

To get all the details on these management changes, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register today. 

Questions? 

  • Fishing Industry Contact: Erin Wilkinson, Headquarters Office, 301-427-8561
  • Media: Jennifer Goebel, Regional Office, 978-281-9175

Scientific and Statistical Committee to Meet March 13-14, 2018

The Council’s SSC will meet March 13-14, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. Topics to be discussed include blueline and golden tilefish specifications, NEFSC clam dredge survey redesign, NEFSC State of the Ecosystem Report, and a discussion paper on coefficients of variation for estimates of the overfishing limit. 

Reminder: Electronic Reporting Requirements for Party/Charter Vessels with Mid-Atlantic Permits

Beginning Monday, March 12, 2018, all charter and party vessel operators holding a federal permit for species managed by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council will be required to electronically submit Vessel Trip Reports for all trips carrying passengers for hire.

NOAA Fisheries Announces Final Blueline Tilefish Amendment to the Golden Tilefish Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries has announced a final rule to implement the Blueline Tilefish Amendment to the Council's Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. This action sets commercial and recreational management measures for the blueline tilefish fishery in the Mid-Atlantic. This rule goes into effect on December 15, 2017.

October 2017 Council Meeting Summary

The following summary highlights actions taken and issues considered at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s October 2017 meeting in Riverhead, NY. Presentations, briefing materials, and webinar recordings are available on the Council website at http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/october-2017.

Open October 2017 Council Meeting Summary (pdf)

Notice of availability: Blueline Tilefish Amendment to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries has published a notice of availability for Amendment 6 to the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan (previously referred to as the "Blueline Tilefish Amendment"). Comments on the amendment will be accepted through August 14, 2017.