Atlantic States
Marine Fisheries

Commission

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Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment

Focal species: bluefish, summer flounder, scup and black sea bass

Topics

  • Explore:
Overview
Hearings
Comments
Contacts
Timeline & Documents

Overview

Topics

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Interstate Fisheries Management Program Policy Board and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) are developing an amendment 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 for-hire permit and reporting requirements. Click on the topics below to learn more.

Public Information Scoping Document

Phase

Status

December 2024: Board and Council approve Public Information/Scoping Document for Public Comment

Completed

January – March 20, 2025: Public Information/Scoping Document Public Comment Period, including Public Hearings

Completed

Spring 2025: Board and Council review public comment and identify range of options/alternatives for further development

Completed

Summer 2025: Development of draft management options

Active

Board and Council approve public hearing document

Winter/Spring 2026

Draft Amendment Public Comment Period, including Public Hearings

Spring/Summer 2026

Board and Council consider final approval of the Amendment

Summer/Fall 2026

Effective date of management changes

Spring/Summer 2027

Public Hearings

The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission has scheduled a public hearing to gather input on the draft addendum:

Public Hearing Presentation and Recording

Public Comment

To ensure fair opportunity for public input, AMFMC and ASMFC offer opportunities for verbal comments on certain actions. Written comments are accepted following a specific timeline for inclusion in meeting materials. Read the guidelines for more information.

Comment Guidelines

You may submit public comment by attending a public hearing held in your state or jurisdiction or mailing, faxing, or emailing written comments to the address below. Only comments received at a public hearing or written comments submitted to the Commission will become part of the public comment record.

Written comments will be accepted through 11:59 p.m. on March 20, 2025. Written comment may be submitted through any of the following methods:

Contacts

  • Tracey Bauer, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, tbauer@asmfc.org, 703.842.0723
  • Kiley Dancy, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, kdancy@mafmc.org, 302.526.5257

Action Development Timeline & Documents

December 2024

The Policy Board and Council reviewed and approved a document for public comment.

April 2025

The Policy Board and Council reviewed public comments and identified near-term priorities, including continued development of management options for recreational sector separation and options related to for-hire permit and reporting requirements.

Next Steps

April 2025 – Present: Development of draft management options by the Fishery Management Team/Plan Development Team (FMAT/PDT).