When 75 percent of the 541,295-pound annual catch limit for golden tilefish has been met, NOAA Fisheries implements a trip limit of 300 pounds per day. NOAA Fisheries has determined the 75 percent trigger to reduce the trip limit has not been met. Therefore, the trip limit of 4,000 pounds per trip will be reinstated from 12:01 a.m. (local time) March 13, through 12:01 a.m. (local time) March 22, 2013.
On March 22, 2013, the 300 pound trip limit will take effect until the quota is reached and golden tilefish closes or until the end of the current fishing year (December 31, 2013), whichever occurs first.
Adjustments of the commercial golden tilefish trip limit in the South Atlantic comply with regulations implemented under the Fishery Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic Region. The trip limits apply to vessels with a South Atlantic Unlimited Snapper-Grouper Permit, fishing for golden tilefish in or from the exclusive economic zone in the South Atlantic region. Vessels with a South Atlantic 225 Pound Snapper-Grouper Permit are restricted to 225 pounds per trip.
