The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has announced a temporary closure of the commercial longline fishing for golden tilefish in the South Atlantic's exclusive economic zone. This closure, effective from February 10, 2021, to January 1, 2022, is due to projections showing the quota for longline-caught golden tilefish will be reached. During this period, golden tilefish can still be caught using hook-and-line methods, but vessels with longline endorsements cannot catch them this way. This measure aims to protect the golden tilefish population by preventing quotas from being exceeded.
Simple Explanation
The government decided to pause a special fishing method for a fish called golden tilefish because they are worried people might catch too many. Fishing with longline equipment, which is like a very long fishing line with many hooks, is not allowed until the new year so that the fish have time to grow and stay healthy.