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Tilefish

Tilefish

Tilefish

At a glance

Eco-rating Mercury Omega-3s
+-Tilefish (mid-Atlantic)
OK
Elevated

MORE ABOUT TILEFISH

The tilefish is a bottom-dwelling fish that digs out large burrows on the ocean floor. The burrows are home to both tilefish and other species such as lobsters and crabs. Tilefish can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) and live as long as 35 years.

Commercial Sources

Tilefish are found in the western North Atlantic, from Nova Scotia in Canada to Florida, including the Gulf of Mexico.

The main source of tilefish is the United States.

Capture Methods

Tilefish come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with longlines. Tilefish are sometimes taken in bottom trawls.

+-Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico/South Atlantic)
Improving
Elevated

MORE ABOUT TILEFISH

The tilefish is a bottom-dwelling fish that digs out large burrows on the ocean floor. The burrows are home to both tilefish and other species such as lobsters and crabs. Tilefish can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 meters) and live as long as 35 years.

Commercial Sources

Tilefish are found in the western North Atlantic, from Nova Scotia in Canada to Florida, including the Gulf of Mexico.

The main source of tilefish is the United States.

Capture Methods

Tilefish come from marine fisheries, not fish farms. They are primarily caught with longlines. Tilefish are sometimes taken in bottom trawls.

Recommended servings per month

Contaminant Men Women Kids 6-12 Kids 0-5
Tilefish (Gulf of Mexico/South Atlantic) Mercury 1 0 0 0
Tilefish (mid-Atlantic) Mercury 1 0 0 0
Eco details: 
  • These deepwater fish are highly susceptible to overfishing. Recent management plans aim to reduce fishing pressure and rebuild stocks.
  • Populations in the mid-Atlantic have rebounded as a result.
  • In the Gulf of Mexico, grouper and tilefish are now caught under an innovative new ‘catch share’ management plan. In less than three years, discards have already decreased for sensitive species and fishermen reliably stay within their catch limits.