The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) have released the Public Information/Scoping Document for the Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment. A series of hearings will be held in late February and early March, and written comments will be accepted through March 20, 2025. Details on scoping hearings will be posted here once available.
The purpose of the amendment is to consider modifications to the recreational management program for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. Specifically, the amendment may consider options for managing for-hire recreational fisheries separately from other recreational fishing modes (referred to as sector separation), as well as options related to the collection and use of recreational data, such as private angler reporting and enhanced for-hire vessel trip reporting requirements.
The Council and Commission are currently conducting scoping for this action. Scoping is the first and best opportunity to provide input on the scope of issues to be addressed. There will be additional comment opportunities; however, input provided early in the development of this action will help the Council and Commission identify issues of concern and determine which types of management alternatives should be further developed.
Written comments may be submitted through March 20, 2025 by any of the following methods:
ONLINE at https://mafmc.knack.com/public-comments#rec-sector-separation-data-collection/
EMAIL to kdancy@mafmc.org
MAIL to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director (Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901)
Please include “Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection” in the subject line if using email or on the outside of the envelope if submitting written comments.
Additional information and updates on this amendment are available on the Council’s action page.