2026 Recreational Season Closure for Golden Tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ
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The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced the closure of the 2026 recreational fishing season for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), effective March 27, 2026. This action is taken under the Snapper-Grouper Fishery management framework. The closure is triggered by projections indicating that recreational landings are on track to meet or exceed the established annual catch limit (ACL) for golden tilefish. Once the ACL threshold is reached, federal regulations require the season to be closed to prevent overfishing of the species. Recreational anglers targeting golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ are prohibited from retaining this species starting March 27, 2026, for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year. The closure applies to all recreational fishing vessels operating within the South Atlantic federal waters.
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Key Changes
- Recreational fishing season for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ closes effective March 27, 2026
- Closure applies for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year
- Recreational anglers prohibited from retaining golden tilefish in South Atlantic federal waters after March 27, 2026
+ 2 more changes with Pro
Obligations
What this law requires
Recreational anglers must cease retention of golden tilefish in the South Atlantic EEZ starting March 27, 2026
All recreational fishing vessels operating in South Atlantic federal waters must comply with the golden tilefish retention prohibition for the remainder of the 2026 calendar year
Recreational fishers must not land golden tilefish caught in the South Atlantic EEZ after March 27, 2026