Federal Register #Docket No. 260325-0090

2026 Catch Specifications for Mid-Atlantic Golden and Blueline Tilefish Fisheries

NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is proposing 2026 specifications for golden tilefish and blueline tilefish fisheries north of the North Carolina/Virginia border: - Government Buyer: - Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council involved in scientific recommendations - OEMs and Vendors: - NOAA and NMFS (regulatory authorities, not commercial OEMs) - Products/Services Requested: - Regulatory specifications for annual catch limits, not physical goods or services - Blueline Tilefish: - Commercial Total Allowable Landings (TAL): 109,330 lb - Recreational TAL: 323,504 lb - Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC): 452,200 lb (205.1 mt) - Golden Tilefish: - Annual Catch Limit (ACL): 1,878,338 lb (852.0 mt) - Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) ACT: 1,733,109 lb - Incidental ACT: 91,216 lb - IFQ TAL: 1,728,590 lb - Incidental TAL: 68,949 lb - Unique or Notable Requirements: - 426% increase in commercial TAL and 350% increase in recreational TAL for blueline tilefish based on updated stock assessments - Golden tilefish specifications remain unchanged from prior years - Management measures (e.g., possession and bag limits) remain consistent - Continued permit and reporting requirements for vessels - No physical products or services are being procured; this is a regulatory action - Locations: - Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, Dover, DE - Fisheries area north of the North Carolina/Virginia border

Description

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) proposes specifications for the 2026 fishing year for golden tilefish and blueline tilefish fisheries north of the North Carolina/Virginia border. The action aims to establish allowable harvest levels and management measures to prevent overfishing while allowing optimum yield, consistent with the Magnuson-Stevens Act and the Tilefish Fishery Management Plan. Proposed specifications include a significant increase in total allowable landings for blueline tilefish based on updated stock assessments, while golden tilefish specifications remain unchanged from previous projections. The rule invites public comments by April 14, 2026.

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