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We are proposing the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s recommended 2021 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass specifications. The Council is proposing increases to the previously approved 2021 catch limits based on its new risk policy, which defines the acceptable risk of overfishing. The proposed catch limits still minimize the chance of overfishing, while providing more opportunities for fishermen. No other changes to the federal commercial management measures are proposed.
Summary of the 2021 Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Specifications, in millions of pounds.
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2021 Specifications
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Summer Flounder
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Scup
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Black Sea Bass
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Overfishing Limit (OFL)
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31.67
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35.30
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17.68
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Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC)
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27.11
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34.81
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17.45
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Commercial Annual Catch Limit (ACL)
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14.63
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27.15
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9.52
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Commercial Annual Catch Target (ACT)
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14.63
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27.15
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9.52
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Commercial Quota
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12.49
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20.50
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6.09
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Recreational ACL
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12.48
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7.66
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7.93
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Recreational ACT
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12.48
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7.66
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7.93
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Recreational Harvest Limit
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8.32
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6.07
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6.34
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The final summer flounder commercial state quotas will be published in the final rule, including any necessary adjustments for overages. The state quotas will also depend on the status of the final rule implementing Amendment 21 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan. Amendment 21 was approved on October 19, 2020, and we are currently working on a final rule to implement the revised state-by-state allocations. This proposed rule includes initial state quotas based on the current allocation formula, and what they would be when Amendment 21 is implemented.
Read the proposed rule as published in the Federal Register, and submit your comments through the online portal.
The comment period is open through December 2, 2020.
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