Total Allowable Landings of Tilefish to Remain in Effect

November 7, 2006

Release from:
NOAA

NOAA Fisheries has withdrawn a proposed rule published on September 6, 2006 , which proposed an increase in the annual tilefish total allowable landings (TAL) for the remainder of the 10-year stock rebuilding period. The 10-year rebuilding period ends in 2011. Based on uncertainty in the 2005 stock assessment, and the fact that the next stock assessment for tilefish is not scheduled to be completed until at least late 2007, affording little time to make any necessary adjustments to the TAL if population productivity estimates prove to be lower than expected, NOAA Fisheries has determined that an increase in the tilefish TAL is not justified at this time. Thus, the previously established annual tilefish TAL of 1.995 million lb (905 mt) remains in effect.

For more information, read the Federal Register notice or contact Brian Hooker at (978) 281-9220.