Overview
In June 2022, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) Policy Board approved a new process for setting recreational measures (bag, size, and season limits) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. The Council and Policy Board considered a range of options and ultimately selected one referred to as the “Percent Change Approach” for use starting with the 2023 recreational measures. This action also includes modifications to the recreational accountability measures for these species. The Council recommended these changes through a framework action, and the Policy Board adopted the new process through Addendum XXXIV to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and Addendum II to the Bluefish FMP. Collectively, these are referred to as the Recreational Harvest Control Rule (HCR) Framework/Addenda. On March 8, 2023, NOAA Fisheries issued a final rule implementing the Council’s Recreational HCR Framework.
Council Framework Document: Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework
Press Release: MAFMC & ASMFC Take First Step Toward Recreational Management Reform for Bluefish, Sumer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass
Approval of this new process is part of a broader long-term effort by both the Council and Commission to improve recreational management of these four species. Visit the Recreational Reform Initiative page to learn more.
Next Steps: Recreational HCR Framework/Addenda 2.0
When the Council and Policy Board selected the Percent Change Approach, they agreed to continue development of several other options for possible implementation by 2026. Use of the Percent Change Approach will sunset no later than the end of 2025. The Council and Board are now developing a follow-on action which will consider an improved measures setting process for 2026 and beyond. Visit the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework and Addenda page for details and updates.
MAFMC and ASMFC Contacts
Julia Beaty, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, jbeaty@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5250
Tracey Bauer, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, tbauer@asmfc.org (703) 842-0740
Chelsea Tuohy, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, ctuohy@asmfc.org (703) 842-0740
Action Development Timeline and Documents
See the main Recreational Reform Initiative page for updates prior to February 2021.
February 1, 2021 Council/Policy Board Meeting: The Council and Policy Board agreed to focus on the Harvest Control Rule through a framework/addenda.
June 2021 Council/Policy Board Meeting: The Council and Policy Board received a progress update.
August 2021 Council/Policy Board Meeting: The Council and Policy Board reviewed and provided feedback on a draft range of alternatives.
October 2021 Council/Policy Board Meeting: The Council and Policy Board reviewed and provided feedback on a draft range of alternatives.
February 2022 Council/Policy Board Meeting: The Council and Policy Board approved a range of alternatives for public hearings through the Commission’s Draft Addenda process. The Council and Policy Board also tasked the Council’s Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC) with providing a quantitative evaluation of the potential effect of each of the five primary alternatives on the SSC’s assessment and application of risk and uncertainty in determining acceptable biological catch levels.
Supplemental:
March/April 2022: The Commission held a series of public hearings between March 16 and April 13, 2022.
June 2022 Council/Policy Board Meeting: The Council and Policy Board reviewed public comments and took final action on the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda.
Supplemental Table: Percent Change Approach - Process for determining the appropriate percent change in harvest
Supplemental:
December 2022 Council/Management Board Meeting: The Council and Management Board used the Percent Change Approach to set recreational measures for the first time.
See briefing materials, presentations, and recordings for Tabs 5-8, available here.
December 15, 2022: NOAA Fisheries published a Proposed Rule.
March 9, 2023: NOAA Fisheries published a Final Rule implementing the Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework.
Spring 2023: The Council and Commission formed a Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT)/Plan Development Team (PDT) and developed an action plan to guide development of the Recreational Harvest Control Rule 2.0 Framework/Addenda.