The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has scheduled two virtual public hearings to gather input on the Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions Framework/Addendum. Although the Council’s framework development process does not include public hearings, all public comments provided during the Commission’s comment period will be considered by both groups before taking final action.

• Register for the Webinar

  • Update 9/17/24: The webinar has concluded. A recording of the hearing presentation is available on the Commission’s YouTube channel.

• Public Hearing Document

Written comments will be accepted through September 28, 2024. Please see the Commission’s press release for comment instructions.

Visit the Council’s Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum page to learn more about this action.

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has scheduled two virtual public hearings to gather input on the Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions Framework/Addendum. Although the Council’s framework development process does not include public hearings, all public comments provided during the Commission’s comment period will be considered by both groups before taking final action.

• Register for the Webinar

• Public Hearing Document

Written comments will be accepted through September 28, 2024. Please see the Commission’s press release for comment instructions.

Visit the Council’s Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum page to learn more about this action.

The Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemption Framework/Addendum Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) / Plan Development Team (PDT) will hold a meeting via webinar on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The FMAT/PDT will meet to review and discuss an in-progress draft document for the Council and Board’s consideration at the August joint meeting.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the meeting.

• Meeting ID: 2339 664 0251 - Password: u5qJR2HYmD7

  Or dial: 1-415-655-0001 - Access Code / Meeting ID: 2339 664 0251

About FMAT/PDT Meetings

This will be a working meeting of the FMAT/PDT. Members of the public may listen to this meeting, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the meeting chair invites input during a specified public comment period. FMAT/PDT working documents will not be shared. The work of the FMAT/PDT, including meeting summaries, will be shared and considered during Council/Policy Board meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemption Framework/Addendum Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) / Plan Development Team (PDT) will hold a meeting via webinar on Friday, May 10, 2024 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

The FMAT/PDT will meet to review and discuss several aspects of the Summer Flounder Mesh Exemption Framework/Addenda including revised alternatives, additional analysis, and additional information needs to finalize a draft document for public comment.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the meeting

• Meeting ID: 2335 017 9446 - Password: QCv2uCqBp62

  Or dial: 1-415-655-0001 - Access Code / Meeting ID: 2335 017 9446

About FMAT/PDT Meetings

This will be a working meeting of the FMAT/PDT. Members of the public may listen to this meeting, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the meeting chair invites input during a specified public comment period. FMAT/PDT working documents will not be shared. The work of the FMAT/PDT, including meeting summaries, will be shared and considered during Council/Policy Board meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

This FMAT/PDT meeting has been canceled.

The FMAT/PDT will meet again on May 10 at 1pm.

About FMAT/PDT Meetings

This will be a working meeting of the FMAT/PDT. Members of the public may listen to this meeting, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the meeting chair invites input during a specified public comment period. FMAT/PDT working documents will not be shared. The work of the FMAT/PDT, including meeting summaries, will be shared and considered during Council/Policy Board meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemption Framework/Addendum Fishery Management Action Team (FMAT) / Plan Development Team (PDT) will hold a meeting via webinar on Friday, April 26, 2024 from 10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.

The FMAT/PDT will meet to review and discuss several aspects of the Summer Flounder Mesh Exemption Framework/Addenda including revised alternatives, additional analysis, and additional information needs to finalize a draft document for public comment.

Webinar Connection

• Click here to join the meeting

• Meeting ID: 2347 064 9688 - Password: iM7BY5MchA7

  Or dial: 1-415-655-0001 - Access Code / Meeting ID: 2347 064 9688

About FMAT/PDT Meetings

This will be a working meeting of the FMAT/PDT. Members of the public may listen to this meeting, but should not expect to participate in the discussion unless the meeting chair invites input during a specified public comment period. FMAT/PDT working documents will not be shared. The work of the FMAT/PDT, including meeting summaries, will be shared and considered during Council/Policy Board meetings, during which public comments are encouraged.

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking public input on potential modifications to the Summer Flounder Small Mesh Exemption Program and the flynet exemption from the summer flounder minimum mesh size requirements. Interested stakeholders are invited to provide comments during a webinar to be held on April 2, 2024, at 2:00 p.m. The Council is particularly interested in input from participants in commercial trawl fisheries who utilize the Small Mesh Exemption Program and/or flynet exemption.

The Council is considering these changes through a joint framework action/addendum being developed jointly with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board (Board). The Council and Board are seeking comments to inform their consideration of a draft range of alternatives at their April 2024 joint meeting.

Meeting Materials

• Draft Alternatives Quick Reference Guide and Public Webinar Discussion Questions

• Framework/Addendum Action Plan as of March 2024

• Meeting Materials and Discussion Document for April 2024 Council and Board meeting

• Staff Presentation

Which Regulations are Being Considered Through this Action?

• Small Mesh Exemption Program Area Revisions: The Small Mesh Exemption Program  currently allows trawl vessels to obtain a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to land more than 200 pounds of summer flounder east of longitude 72° 30.0'W, from November 1 through April 30, using mesh smaller than 5.5-inch diamond or 6.0-inch square. The Council and Board will consider modifications to the boundaries of the exempted area, including evaluating suggested revisions made by fishing industry representatives during the Fall 2023 review process for this exemption.

• Flynet Exemption Gear Definition Updates: Current regulations provide an exemption to the minimum mesh size requirements for vessels fishing with a two-seam otter trawl flynet. Through this action, the Council and Board will consider modifying the regulatory definition of a flynet in light of changes in the use and configuration of commercial trawl gear since this exemption was put in place in the 1990s.

Additional background and context for the action is available on the action webpage  Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum.

Webinar Connection:

Registration in advance of the webinar is requested but not required.

• Register for the Webinar Here

To Provide Written Comments or For More Information

Written comments can be emailed to Kiley Dancy at kdancy@mafmc.org, and will be included in the Council and Board’s April meeting materials if received by 5p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2024. Please contact Kiley for more information, or visit the Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum action page.