The commercial blueline tilefish possession limit has been reduced from 500 lb to 300 lb per trip. Effective August 12, 2024, federally permitted vessels may not land or possess on board more than 300 lb of blueline tilefish per trip for the remainder of the 2024 fishing year (i.e., through December 31, 2024).
This action affects federally permitted vessels fishing for blueline tilefish in the Tilefish Management Unit (i.e., north of the Virginia/North Carolina border). This reduction is required by regulation because, as of August 12, 2024, the blueline tilefish commercial fishery is projected to reach or exceed 70 percent of the 2024 total allowable landings (TAL) of 22,399 lb. If 100 percent of the TAL is landed, the commercial fishery will close.
