Be advised, to possess tilefish in excess of the incidental trip limit, beginning November 1, 2009, a vessel must fish under both an IFQ Allocation permit and an open access tilefish commercial permit.

Changes to Commercial Tilefish Permits

Tilefish permit categories A, B, C, and D will not be valid after October 31, 2009 and have been replaced with a new open access category 1 tilefish permit. If a vessel was issued a category A, B, C, or D tilefish permit for the 2009 fishing
year, it will automatically be issued an open access category 1 tilefish permit under the following designation “TILEFISH – COMMERCIAL /INCIDENTAL – 2009”.

New Party/Charter Tilefish Permit

A new open access category 2 tilefish charter/party permit has also been established and is effective November 1, 2009. To be issued the charter/party permit for tilefish, fishermen must submit a complete application to the Northeast Region Permit Office.

Applications for the charter/party permit for tilefish can be obtained by calling the Permit Office or by going online at http://www.nero.noaa.gov/nero/hotnews/tileamend1/

Fishermen are advised to call the Permit Office at (978) 282-8438 with any permit related questions. For other questions about Amendment 1 to the Golden Tilefish FMP, call the Sustainable Fisheries Division at (978) 281-9315.

source: NERO press release