Pallone Asks NOAA to Deny Blueline Tilefish Restrictions for Mid-Atlantic

Press Release

Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) released a letter he sent to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Service requesting the denial of proposed restrictions on fishing for blueline tilefish along the Atlantic coast.

The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council asked that restrictions in its waters be applied to the entire length of the Atlantic coast despite insufficient data to conclude that catch limits for blueline tilefish are necessary in the Mid-Atlantic and New England jurisdictions. In addition to a lack of sufficient data, Pallone is opposed to considering this as an emergency action because it provides no public comment period.

"Applying fishing restrictions from the South Atlantic to the Mid-Atlantic and New England without sufficient data is arbitrary and unnecessary," said Congressman Pallone. "It is also problematic that there would be no public comment period, effectively cutting off stakeholders from voicing their concerns."

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