December 19, 2023 — Read the full release at Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission:
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council met December 12-14, 2023, in Philadelphia, PA. As part of the meeting the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s (Commission) Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board (Board), and Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board (Policy Board) met jointly with the Council to take action and discuss a number of issues. The summaries of those meetings follow.
Presentations, briefing materials, motions, and webinar recordings are available at http://www.mafmc.org/briefing/december-2023.
MAFMC & ASMFC SUMMER FLOUNDER, SCUP, AND BLACK SEA BASS MANAGEMENT BOARD (December 12 & 13, 2023)
Meeting Summary
Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Regulations and Exemptions
The Council and the Board reviewed analysis of and public input on several summer flounder commercial mesh regulations, including: 1) the current 5.5-inch diamond or 6.0-inch square minimum mesh size, 2) the summer flounder Small Mesh Exemption Program (SMEP), and 3) the summer flounder flynet exemption.
The Council and Board recommended no change to the current summer flounder minimum mesh sizes, due to the lack of sufficient evidence to suggest a change is warranted. They agreed that additional selectivity studies should be considered as a research priority, including exploring the selectivity of a wider range of square mesh sizes and further comparing selectivity between square and diamond mesh. The Council and Board also recommended development of a framework/addendum to consider potential changes to the two mesh exemptions as a priority in 2024. Specifically, this action would consider revisions to the definition of a flynet as well as modifications to the western boundary of the small-mesh exemption area. The changes are intended to be implemented by November 1, 2024, if possible.