NOAA Fisheries is seeking comments on proposed 2024 and 2025 summer flounder and scup and 2024 black sea bass recreational fishery management measures.
Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass
We propose the conservation-equivalency approach for the summer flounder and black sea bass recreational fisheries. Under conservation equivalency, states or regions develop minimum sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons that will achieve the necessary level of conservation. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommended conservation equivalency for both species.
For summer flounder, we are proposing to implement conservation equivalency for 2024 and 2025. For black sea bass, we are proposing to implement conservation equivalency for 2024. Recreational black sea bass measures will be reevaluated for 2025 after the 2024 management track assessment is available.
The proposed rule contains additional details on conservation equivalency, including what measures would be put in place if the states or regions do not implement conservationally equivalent measures.
Scup
We are proposing no changes to federal recreational scup measures for 2024 and 2025. State measures will be modified through the Commission process to achieve the needed 10-percent recreational harvest reduction. Current federal recreational scup measures are: a year-round open season, a 40 fish possession limit, and a 10-inch minimum size.
Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register today.
The comment period is open through March 11, 2024.
Submit your comments through the e-rulemaking portal