While many anglers along the Atlantic Coast have been focused on the striped bass discussions, deliberations and debate, the fisheries management bodies at the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) have also been making other announcements of interest to the recreational fishing community.
First of all, the Council voted on December 10 to leave black sea bass, porgy and summer flounder (fluke) alone in 2025. At their August 2024 meeting, the Council, alongside the Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board were unable to reach agreement on black sea bass specifications for 2025. The Commission had essentially voted to leave the 2025 specifications the same as 2024, while the Council adopted specifications associated with a 20% reduction in black sea bass based on advice of its Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC).
However, in an October 2024 surprise action, NOAA Fisheries published a proposed rule to implement 2025 black sea bass specifications consistent with those adopted by the Commission, which essentially amounted to approval for status quo recreational management measures for black sea bass in 2025. What it all means is that Atlantic Coast anglers can expect the same season, size and bag limits on black sea bass, porgies and fluke in 2025 as there were in 2024.
In other news, the Commission has released for public comment Draft Addenda on Recreational Measures Setting Process for Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass. The current process for setting recreational measures referred to as the Percent Change Approach, was implemented through the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda in 2023. The goal of the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda was to establish a process such that recreational measures aim to prevent overfishing, are reflective of stock status, appropriately account for uncertainty in the recreational data, take into consideration angler preferences, and provide an appropriate level of stability and predictability in changes from year to year.
This new Percentage Change Approach through the Harvest Control Rule is how the Council and Commission have been able to implement multiple years with the same regulations, as opposed to the process in years past where a season, size and bag might be modified ever year. This new process is scheduled to “sunset” by the end of 2025, but the Council and Commission goal is to implement an improved long-term process for setting recreational measures, starting with the 2026 measures.
There are a series of public hearings scheduled to gather public input on the Draft Addenda between January 14 and January 29, 2025, with written comments being accepted through February 15, 2025. The Draft Addenda proposes five possible options for setting recreational measures. “Taking final action on these addenda in 2025 will not implement any specific bag, size, or season limits, but start a new specification process for setting recreational management measures starting with 2026 measures,” the Commission noted in a December 6th press release.
Some hearings will be conducted in-person with the option to connect via webinar (hybrid hearings), while others will be conducted via webinar only. If you are unable to participate in your state’s scheduled hearing, the Commission stated that you are welcome to participate in any of the following hearings.
Tuesday, January 14 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Maine Dept. of Marine Resources, New Hampshire Fish and Game Department, and Massachusetts Division of Marine Fisheries
The webinar registration link is available here.
For additional information contact Corrin Flora (ME) 207-446-8126; Renee Zobel (NH) 603-868-1095; or Nichola Meserve (MA) 978-619-0017
Wednesday, January 22 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
Marine Resources Headquarters
New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation
123 Kings Park Blvd., Nissequogue River Park
Kings Park, NY 11754
This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The webinar registration link is available here.
For additional information contact Martin Gary (NY) 631-444-0430
Thursday, January 23 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Rhode Island Dept. of Environmental Management
University of Rhode Island Bay Campus
Corless Auditorium
215 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
This is a hybrid meeting (both in-person and virtual). The virtual Zoom link is here.
For additional information contact Jason McNamee (RI) 401-423-1923
Tuesday, January 28 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection and Connecticut Dept. of Energy & Environmental Protection
The webinar registration link is available here.
For additional information contact Joseph Cimino (NJ) 609-748-2020 or Matthew Gates (CT) 860-876-4393
Wednesday, January 29 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife, Maryland Dept. of Natural Resources, Potomac River Fisheries Commission, Virginia Marine Resources Commission, and North Carolina Dept. of Environmental Quality
The webinar registration link is available here.
For additional information contact John Clark (DE) 302-739-9914; Mike Luisi (MD) 410-260-8341; Ron Owens (PRFC) 804-224-7148; Pat Geer (VA) 757-247-2200; or Chris Batsavage (NC) 252-241-2995.
All those interested in the management of summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish are encouraged to provide input either by participating in public hearings, which may be conducted in-person or via webinar, or providing written comment. Public comment will be accepted until 11:59 PM (EST) on February 15, 2025 and should be sent to Chelsea Tuohy, FMP Coordinator, at 1050 N. Highland St., Suite 200 A-N, Arlington, Virginia 22201; or at comments@asmfc.org (Subject line: Recreational Measures Setting Process).
For more information go to the News section at asmfc.org.
