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The commercial hook-and-line component for golden tilefish in federal waters of the south Atlantic closed at 12:01 a.m. on June 1, 2021.

The 2021 commercial catch limit for the golden tilefish hook-and-line component is 82,935 pounds gutted weight. Commercial landings are projected to reach the commercial hook-and-line catch limit and harvest must close to prevent the catch limit from being exceeded.

The closure prohibitions for the commercial hook-and-line component apply in both state and federal waters for vessels that have a federal commercial South Atlantic Snapper-Grouper permit.

The south Atlantic golden tilefish commercial longline component closed on Feb. 10, 2021 and reopened for 11 days beginning March 20, 2021 and closed at 12:01 a.m. on March 31, 2021 for the remainder of the fishing year.

Therefore, all commercial harvest and sale of south Atlantic golden tilefish is prohibited effective at 12:01 a.m. on June 1, 2021. Harvest or possession is limited to the golden tilefish recreational bag and possession limits when the recreational sector is open, without regard to where the golden tilefish was harvested (i.e. in state or federal waters).

Golden tilefish bag and possession limits and the prohibition on sale/purchase 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.

The prohibitions on harvest or possession and sale or purchase during the closure do not apply to fish that were harvested, landed ashore, and sold prior to 12:01 a.m. on June 1, 2021 and were held in cold storage by a dealer or processor.

The 2021 fishing season for golden tilefish commercial hook-and-line component in the south Atlantic will open on Jan. 1, 2022 with a commercial catch limit of 82,935 pounds gutted weight.

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