The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are seeking public input on the range of issues and information to be considered in the Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) and the Bluefish FMP.
The purpose of the proposed amendment is to consider modifications to the recreational management program for 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.
The Council and Commission are currently conducting scoping for this action. Scoping is the first and best opportunity to provide input on the scope of issues to be addressed. There will be additional comment opportunities; however, input provided early in the development of this action will help the Council and Commission identify issues of concern and determine which types of management alternatives should be further developed. Learn more at the links below.
How to Comment
Written comments must be received by 11:59 pm EST on Thursday, March 20, 2025.
ONLINE at https://mafmc.knack.com/public-comments#rec-sector-separation-data-collection/
EMAIL to kdancy@mafmc.org (subject: Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection)
MAIL to: Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901
(Please write “Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection” on the envelope)
All comments, regardless of submission method, will be compiled into a single document for review and consideration by both the Council and Commission.
Contacts
If you have any questions, please contact either:
Kiley Dancy, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, kdancy@mafmc.org, 302-526-5257
Tracey Bauer, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, tbauer@asmfc.org, 703-842-0723
MAFMC Press Contact: Mary Sabo, msabo@mafmc.org, 302-526-5261