2026 Blueline Tilefish Specifications Environmental Assessment, Initial Regulatory Flexibility Act Analysis

This document was prepared by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (the Council) in consultation with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). This document was developed in accordance with all applicable laws and statutes as described in Section 8. The purpose of the management actions described in this document is to implement recreational and commercial Total Allowable Landing (TAL) limits for the blueline tilefish fisheries for 2026. These measures are necessary to prevent overfishing and ensure that annual catch limits (ACLs) are not exceeded. This document details all evaluated management alternatives and their expected impacts on several components of the environment. The status quo alternatives for 2026 are equivalent to a “No Action” alternative for blueline tilefish. If the actions proposed for 2026 are not taken, the existing (status quo) management measures will remain in place. This is because the Tilefish FMP includes provisions that would allow the previous year’s management measures to roll over to the next year. Thus, the No Action alternative would result in status quo specifications.