Final Rule: 2023 Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Recreational Management Measures

NOAA Fisheries announces the 2023 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fishery management measures.

Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass

We are approving conservation equivalency for the summer flounder and black sea bass recreational fisheries. Under conservation equivalency, states or regions develop minimum sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons that will achieve the necessary level of conservation.

For 2023, both the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission recommended conservation equivalency for summer flounder and black sea bass.

The final rule contains additional details on conservation equivalency, including what measures would be put in place if the states or regions do not implement conservationally equivalent measures.

Scup

We are implementing a 10-inch minimum size limit, 40-fish possession limit, and May 1 - December 31 open season for recreational scup measures in federal waters, with the states to further modify state measures through the Commission process.