Amendment 23 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan

NOAA Fisheries is implementing the approved measure from Amendment 23 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP). Previously, the black sea bass regulations required a commercial coastwide in-season closure for all federally permitted vessels and dealers, regardless of state, once the coastwide quota is projected to be landed. This action changes the trigger so that the closure will occur once landings are projected to exceed the coastwide quota plus an additional buffer of up to 5 percent. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (Commission) Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board (Board) will recommend the appropriate buffer for the upcoming year through the specifications process. The Council’s Monitoring Committee and the Commission’s Technical Committee would provide advice on the appropriate buffer based on considerations such as stock status, the quota level, and recent fishery trends.

The final rule also provides information on the disapproval of other measures proposed in Amendment 23.