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ISSUE DATE: September 16, 2025
FB25-032
CONTACT: Mary Vara, mary.vara@noaa.gov, (727) 824-5305
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Reopening of Commercial Blueline Tilefish in South Atlantic Federal Waters on September 21 for Six Days
What/When:
- The 2025 commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in federal waters of the South Atlantic will reopen for 6 days at 12:01 a.m., (local time), on September 21, 2025, until 12:01 a.m., (local time), on September 27, 2025.
- During the 6-day reopening, the commercial trip limit for blueline tilefish is 300 pounds gutted weight or 318 pounds whole weight.
Why This Reopening Is Happening:
- For the 2025 fishing year, the blueline tilefish commercial sector catch limit is 117,148 pounds whole weight. The blueline tilefish commercial sector closed on July 23, 2025, because the catch limit was projected to be met.
- Updated commercial catch reports indicate that commercial landings have not met the 2025 commercial sector catch limit, and reopening for 6 days will allow the commercial sector to reach its catch limit.
After the Reopening:
- The recreational sector for blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic is closed each year from January 1 through April 30, and from September 1 through December 31, and during these periods the bag and possession limits for blueline tilefish in or from the South Atlantic EEZ are zero. Therefore, beginning 12:01 a.m., (local time), on September 27, 2025, all harvest or possession of blueline tilefish in or from South Atlantic federal waters will be 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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