Golden Tile Fish Public Input

[Gerry Zagorski]

Comments due by1/12/24 https://www.icontact-archive.com/archive?c=1229622&f=575&s=1400&m=557640&t=c91e877ba7a03bf9135875e150925dfbebe185c5a4f4e55a 5668e0c7a3f95c98

[AndyS]

I don't think anyone spoke up when they cut the limits on Blueline tilefish, I highly doubt anyone will speak up on the Goldens either. Rest assured it will be shorter seasons and lower limits, it seems to be the trend lately.

[Jigman13]

It's bull. It's predominantly a comm harvest. Such a small number of rec/ private guys who venture offshore actually deep drop for tiles.

[bulletbob]

I don't know much about this fishery having never participated, by my first instinct was this-
if this is indeed a fishery in distress, or the stocks are being depleted, "overfishing is occurring" etc,etc, etc, We know of course recs will be first in line to get their hands slapped and told, 'no more for you".
As stated, I don't know much about tilefishing, but i do know, the VAST majority are taken by commercial long line boats using bottom sets, and in certain areas of their range, a small percentage are bottom trawled.....


Seriously, how many recreational guys fish for these things??
They are in deeper water than the vast majority of anglers care to fish in, are impossible to access for the overwhelming majority, expensive to catch even for those with the desire, money, gear, and time, and most of us simply ignore them, except for a few specialists, or a few adventurous souls that want a unique, once in a lifetime experience... I'll follow this because at first glance, it seems to be another case of those with the least amount of "guilt", will get the most "punishment"... bob

[baseballman]

I would love to know recreational/commercial split for tilefish. I'd be shocked if it was above 20% recreational. Pretty sure there are only 2-3 headboats on the whole NJ coast that fish for them...and know sometimes they are a Plan B for tuna guys after they limit out or if the tuna fishing is bad.