Today, NOAA Fisheries announced the 2025 final specifications for the golden tilefish and the blueline tilefish fisheries, north of the Virginia/North Carolina border. This action also projects 2026 and 2027 golden tilefish specifications. Tables 1 and 2 outline the acceptable biological catch (ABC), annual catch limits (ACL), annual catch targets (ACT), and total allowable landings (TAL), for both species.
Table 1. 2025-2027 Golden Tilefish Specifications
| 2024 | 2025-2027 | |
| ABC | 1,964,319 lb | 1,878,338 lb |
| ACL | 1,964,319 lb | 1,878,338 lb |
| IFQ fishery ACT | 1,763,478 lb | 1,733,109 lb |
| Incidental fishery ACT | 92,815 lb | 91,216 lb |
| IFQ fishery TAL | 1,763,478 lb | 1,728,590 lb |
| Incidental fishery TAL | 75,410 lb | 68,949 lb |
Table 2. 2025 Blueline Tilefish Specifications
| 2024 | 2025 | |
| ABC – North of NC/VA line | 100,520 lb | 100,520 lb |
| Recreational ACL / ACT | 73,380 lb | 73,380 lb |
| Commercial ACL / ACT | 27,140 lb | 27,140 lb |
| ACL Overage Adjustment | -4,470 lb | -5,975 lb |
| Adjusted Commercial ACL | 22,670 lb | 21,165 lb |
| Recreational TAL | 71,912 lb | 71,912 lb |
| Commercial TAL | 22,399 lb | 20,894 lb |
This action does not change the recreational management measures for either species.
