Framework 19 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Plan, Framework 7 to the Bluefish Management Plan, Interim Final Rule
Summary
NOAA Fisheries is announcing the implementation of Framework Adjustment 19 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan, and Framework Adjustment 7 to the Bluefish Fishery Management Plan. Also known as the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework, this process will be used to set recreational management measures (bag, size, and season limits) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The changes also include modifications to the recreational accountability measures for all four species. This rule does not contain any changes to recreational management measures; any changes will be announced in a separate follow-up rulemaking.
This new process is part of a broader long-term effort by both the Council and Commission to improve recreational management of these four species. The previous method to set recreational management measures for these species sunset in December 2025. The new revised management program aims to provide continued stability and predictability in recreational measures from year to year while accounting for uncertainty in recreational catch estimates. The Recreational Measures Setting Process has two phases.
- Phase 1 (2026-2029) allows managers to consider two factors: Biomass compared to the target and estimated recreational harvest compared to the future limits to determine if management measures need to change and, if so, by how much.
- Phase 2 (2030 and beyond) would also allow managers to consider two factors: Biomass compared to the target (unchanged) and estimated recreational catch, which includes dead discards, instead of harvest alone. This value would then be compared to the future limits to determine if management measures need to change and, if so, by how much.
- Bluefish has a delayed implementation date of 2028 for both the Recreational Measures Setting Process and changes to the accountability measures due to its rebuilding status.
Phase | Species | Timing |
Phase 1: Modified Percent Change Approach using the RHL and harvest |
| 2026-2029 |
| 2028-2029 | |
Phase 2: Modified Percent Change Approach using the ACT and catch |
| 2030 and beyond |
Accountability Measures: Recreational AMs with modified biomass categories and greater consideration of overfishing |
| 2026 and beyond |
| 2028 and beyond |
Additional information can be found on the Council’s webpage.