2026 and 2027 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Recreational Management Measures Interim Final Rule
Summary
NOAA Fisheries is announcing 2026 and 2027 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fishery management measures.
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission cooperatively manage the summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries, and provide recommendations to NOAA Fisheries for recreational management measures. For 2026 and 2027, we are implementing the following Council and Commission recommendations:
- Scup: no changes to Federal recreational management measures
- Summer Flounder: Federal measures are waived through the continued use of conservation equivalency
- Black Sea Bass: Federal measures are waived through the continued conservation equivalency for black sea bass
As in prior years, we are approving the continued use of a conservation equivalency approach for the summer flounder and black sea bass recreational fisheries. Under conservation equivalency, Federal coastwide measures are waived in favor of state- or region-developed measures. The states or regions develop minimum sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons that will achieve the necessary level of conservation. Individuals seeking information regarding the measures for individual states should contact the marine fisheries agency in their state of interest.