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We are implementing the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council’s recommended 2021 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass specifications. The final 2021 catch limits are increasing relative to previously approved 2021 quotas because the Council revised its risk policy, which defines the acceptable risk of overfishing. The revised catch limits still minimize the chance of overfishing, while providing more opportunities for fishermen. No additional changes to the federal commercial management measures were made.
Summary of the Final 2021 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass 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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This rule also announces the final 2021 summer flounder commercial state quotas, which include any necessary deductions for overages that occurred in 2019. The final state quotas use the new allocation method approved through Amendment 21 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan.
Final 2021 Summer Flounder State-by-State Allocations, in pounds
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State
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Share
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Additional share above 9.55 m lb
(4,332 mt)
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Initial Allocation
lb
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Preliminary 2020
Overage
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Final Allocation
lb
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Maine
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0.04756
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0.333
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14,342
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14,332
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New Hampshire
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0.00046
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0.333
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9,844
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9,834
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Massachusetts
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6.82046
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12.375
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1,015,179
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1,015,179
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Rhode Island
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15.68298
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12.375
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1,861,550
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1,861,550
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Connecticut
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2.25708
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12.375
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579,376
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579,376
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New York
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7.64699
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12.375
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1,094,113
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1,094,113
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New Jersey
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16.72499
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12.375
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1,961,062
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1,961,062
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Delaware
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0.01779
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0.333
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11,499
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-52,307
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-40,818
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Maryland
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2.0391
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12.375
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558,559
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558,559
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Virginia
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21.31676
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12.375
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2,399,576
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2,399,576
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North Carolina
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27.44584
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12.375
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2,984,903
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2,984,903
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For more information, read the final rule as filed in the Federal Register, and our permit holder bulletin.
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