 Fishing regulations include catch limits and gear restrictions to prevent damage to the species habitat and population . There are different gear restrictions for commercial and recreational fishers . In 2007 , regulations were imposed to reduce the harvesting by one third , as a response to overfishing in the South Atlantic . The South Atlantic catch limit was later increased in October 2012 as a response to the increased population . The 2013 limits in the souther U.S. Atlantic waters for the species , measured in gutted weight , is currently 405 @,@ 971 pounds for longline and 135 @,@ 324 pounds for hook @-@ and @-@ line fishing . 
