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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 recreational data collection and reporting.
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
Active
Board and Council review public comment and identify range of options/alternatives for further development
Spring 2025
Development of draft management options
Summer 2025
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:
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NJ Public Hearings on Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment
Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025 – 6:00 pm
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CT and NY Public Hearings on Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment
Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025 – 6:00 pm
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RI Public Hearings on Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment
Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025 – 6:00 pm
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DE, MD, VA and NC Public Hearings on Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment
Tuesday, Mar. 4, 2025 – 6:00 pm
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MA, ME and NH Public Hearings on Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment
Wednesday, Mar. 5, 2025 – 6:00 pm
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:
- Online: https://mafmc.knack.com/public-comments#rec-sector-separation-data-collection/.
- Email: Kiley Dancy at kdancy@mafmc.org — Subject line: Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection
- Mail: Dr. Christopher Moore, Executive Director, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 800 North State Street, Suite 201, Dover, DE 19901
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.
Next Steps
April 2025: The Policy Board and Council will review public comments and identify the range of options/alternatives for further development in the draft amendment.