Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Commercial Closure for Blueline Tilefish in the South Atlantic

Issuing agencies

Abstract

NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial harvest of blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the South Atlantic. NMFS estimates that commercial landings of blueline tilefish will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 2026 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS closes the commercial sector of blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ to protect the blueline tilefish resource from overfishing.

Full Text

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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 161 (Friday, August 21, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 161 (Friday, August 21, 2026)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 54245]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-17113]



[[Page 54245]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

50 CFR Part 622

[Docket No. 140501394-5279-02; RTID 0648-XF957]


Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Commercial Closure for Blueline 
Tilefish in the South Atlantic

AGENCY: National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce.

ACTION: Temporary rule; closure.

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SUMMARY: NMFS implements an accountability measure for the commercial 
harvest of blueline tilefish in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of 
the South Atlantic. NMFS estimates that commercial landings of blueline 
tilefish will reach the commercial annual catch limit (ACL) for the 
2026 fishing year. Accordingly, NMFS closes the commercial sector of 
blueline tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ to protect the blueline 
tilefish resource from overfishing.

DATES: This temporary rule is effective from August 24, 2026, through 
December 31, 2026.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michelle Walsh, NMFS Southeast 
Regional Office, telephone: 727-824-5305, email: 
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#b7daded4dfd2dbdbd299c0d6dbc4dff7d9d8d6d699d0d8c1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="1d70747e7578717178336a7c716e755d73727c7c337a726b">[email&#160;protected]</span></a>.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The snapper-grouper fishery of the South 
Atlantic includes blueline tilefish and is managed under the Fishery 
Management Plan for the Snapper-Grouper Fishery of the South Atlantic 
Region (FMP). The FMP is implemented by NMFS under the authority of the 
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-
Stevens Act) by regulations at 50 CFR part 622. All weights in this 
temporary rule are given in round weight.
    The regulation codified at 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i) specifies the 
commercial ACL and in-season accountability measure for blueline 
tilefish in the South Atlantic. The commercial ACL is 117,148 pounds 
(53,137 kilograms). NMFS is required to close the commercial sector of 
blueline tilefish when NMFS projects that commercial landings reach or 
are projected to reach the commercial ACL. NMFS projects that the 
commercial ACL will have been reached by August 24, 2026. Accordingly, 
the commercial sector of South Atlantic blueline tilefish is closed 
from August 24, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
    During the commercial closure, all sale or purchase of blueline 
tilefish is prohibited and harvest or possession of blueline tilefish 
in or from the South Atlantic EEZ is limited to the recreational bag 
and possession limits. These bag and possession limits apply in the 
South Atlantic on board a vessel for which a valid Federal commercial 
or charter vessel/headboat permit for South Atlantic snapper-grouper 
has been issued, without regard to where such species were harvested, 
i.e., in State or Federal waters (50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i)).

Classification

    NMFS issues this action pursuant to section 305(d) of the Magnuson-
Stevens Act. This action is required by 50 CFR 622.193(z)(1)(i), which 
was issued pursuant to section 304(b) of the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 
is exempt from review under Executive Order 12866.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(B), there is good cause to waive prior 
notice and an opportunity for public comment on this action, as notice 
and comment are unnecessary and contrary to the public interest. Such 
procedures are unnecessary because the regulations associated with the 
closure of the blueline tilefish commercial sector at 50 CFR 
622.193(z)(1)(i) have already been subject to notice and public 
comment, and all that remains is to notify the public of the commercial 
closure. Prior notice and opportunity for public comment are contrary 
to the public interest because there is a need to immediately implement 
this action to protect blueline tilefish, because the capacity of the 
fishing fleet allows for rapid harvest of the commercial ACL. Prior 
notice and opportunity for public comment would require time and would 
potentially result in a harvest well in excess of the commercial ACL.
    For the reasons already stated, there is also good cause to waive 
the 30-day delay in the effectiveness of this action under 5 U.S.C. 
553(d)(3).

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.

    Dated: August 19, 2026.
Shannon Bettridge,
Acting Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine 
Fisheries Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-17113 Filed 8-19-26; 4:15 pm]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-P


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