New Recreational Measures Setting Process
NOAA Fisheries implemented the Recreational Measures Setting (RMS) Process Framework to the Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Fishery Management Plans on April 28, 2026. The framework implements the process 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. Details on how the RMS Process works are available in the interim final rule.
2026 Recreational Measures for Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass
In addition, NOAA Fisheries is announcing the 2026 and 2027 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fishery management measures. This rule filed with the Federal Register today, and is expected to publish and be effective on April 30, 2026.
The RMS Process aims to provide continued stability and predictability in recreational measures from year to year while accounting for uncertainty in recreational catch estimates.
For 2026 and 2027, we are implementing the following recreational management measures:
- Scup: Maintaining the status quo coastwide measures for recreational fishing in Federal waters and by federally permitted for-hire vessels;
- Summer Flounder: Federal coastwide measures are waived through the continued use of conservation equivalency, allowing for status quo levels of harvest managed through state or regional measures; and
- Black Sea Bass: Federal measures are waived through the continued use of conservation equivalency for black sea bass, allowing for a 20-percent increase in harvest collectively through state or regional measures.
Conservation Equivalency
As in prior years, we are approving the use of conservation equivalency 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 have developed minimum sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons that, in combination across all participating states, will achieve the necessary level of conservation.
Individuals seeking information regarding the measures for individual states should contact the marine fisheries agency in the state of interest.
