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ISSUE DATE: July 17, 2025
FB25-025
CONTACT: Mary.Vara@noaa.gov, Sustainable Fisheries, (727) 824-5305
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Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on July 23, 2025
What/when:
- The commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will close at 12:01 a.m., local time on July 23, 2025.
Why this closure is happening:
- The current commercial catch limit is 117,148 pounds whole weight. NOAA Fisheries predicts this catch limit will be reached by July 23, 2025, and according to the accountability measure, harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.
During and after the closure:
- All sale or purchase of blueline tilefish during a commercial closure is prohibited. The recreational harvest for blueline tilefish in federal waters will close on July 22, 2025, and the bag and possession limit is zero.
- The bag and possession limits of zero apply in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper, regardless of where such fish are harvested or possessed, i.e., in state or federal waters.
- All harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from South Atlantic federal waters is now prohibited for 2025.
- The 2026 commercial fishing season for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic will open on January 1, 2026, with a commercial catch limit of 117,148 pounds whole weight.
This bulletin provides only a summary of the existing regulations. Full regulations can be found in the Code of Federal Regulations at 50 CFR part 622 or at https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-50/chapter-VI/part-622/subpart-I/.
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Sign Up for Text Message Alerts
Our Text Message Alert Program allows you to receive important fishery related alerts via text message (SMS). Standard message and data rates may apply. You may opt-out at any time. Text alerts you may receive include immediate fishery openings and closures and any significant changes to fishing regulations that happen quickly.
Sign up for one or more of the fisheries-related alerts below by texting the following to 888777:
- Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico) Recreational: Text GULFRECFISH
- Gulf of America Commercial: Text GULFCOMMFISH
- South Atlantic Recreational: Text SATLRECFISH
- South Atlantic Commercial: Text SATLCOMMFISH
- Caribbean: Text CARIBFISH
Permits Mailbox
The Permits Office in St. Petersburg, Florida now has a Permits mailbox in the front lobby (263 13th Ave. South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701). You can now drop off original permits for permit transfers. Envelopes with information labels will be provided so that your documents can be attached to the correct application. The mailbox will be checked daily. For more information contact the Permits Office at (877) 376-4877.
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Other Contacts
Media: Allison Garrett (727) 551-5750
Recreational Fishing Coordinator: Sean Meehan (727) 385-5202
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