January 23, 2025 — The following was released by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission releases for public comment the Public Information/Scoping Document for the Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass and Bluefish. The document is a joint effort of the Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council given the species are managed cooperatively by the Commission in state waters (0-3 miles) and by the Council and NOAA Fisheries in federal waters (3-200 miles).
As the first step in the amendment process, the document solicits public input on the potential development of an amendment to consider modifications to the recreational management of summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. Specifically, the amendment may consider options for managing for-hire recreational fisheries separately from other recreational fishing modes (referred to as sector separation), as well as options related to the collection and use of recreational data, such as private angler reporting and enhanced for-hire vessel trip reporting requirements.
Scoping is the first and best opportunity to provide input on the range of issues to be addressed through this action. There will be additional opportunities to provide comments. However, comments early in the development of this action will help the Commission and Council identify issues of concern and determine which types of management options should be further developed. Following the initial phase of information gathering and public comment, the Commission and Council will evaluate potential management options and develop a draft amendment for public review. After the next round of public comment, the Commission and Council will identify the management measures to be included in the Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment. A tentative schedule for the completion of the amendment is included in the scoping document.
Submitting Comments
The Public Information/Scoping Document is available at https://asmfc.org/files/ PublicInput/SFSBSB_BF_ RecAmendment_PublicInfo- Scoping_Jan2025.pdf. All those interested in the management of summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish are encouraged to provide input by 11:59 PM (EST) on March 20, 2025 by participating in public hearings (details to be released in a subsequent press release) or by providing written comment. Written comment may be submitted through any of the following methods: online viahttps://mafmc.knack.com/ public-comments#rec-sector- separation-data-collection/; mailed to Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, at 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901; or emailed to Kiley Dancy at kdancy@mafmc.org (Subject line: Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection).
The Public Information/Scoping Document is available at https://asmfc.org/files/