Alexandria, VA – The Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board approved Addendum XII to the Fishery Management Plan for Black Sea Bass. The Addendum extends the current state-by-state black sea bass commercial allocation system for the 2005 – 2007 fishing years. State- specific shares are as follows: Maine – 0.5%, New York – 7%, New Hampshire – 0.5%, New Jersey – 20%, Massachusetts –13%, Delaware – 5%, Rhode Island – 11%, Maryland – 11%, Connecticut – 1%, Pennsylvania – 0%, Virginia – 20%, and North Carolina – 11%.
The current state-by-state allocation system was first established in 2002 to mitigate lengthy closures and significant quota overages that resulted under quarterly quota management in the black sea bass fishery. This system provided states the flexibility of managing their quota for the greatest benefit to their commercial black sea bass fishery by ensuring a continuous and steady supply of product over the season. It also provided the states the ability to transfer or combine quota, allowing increased responsiveness to year- to-year variations in fishing practices or landing patterns. However, the current plan implemented the system for the 2003 and 2004 fishing years only. Addendum XII extends that system for 2005 – 2007.
The Board also began discussions on the petition by United Boatmen and the Recreational Fishing Alliance to change the allocation of summer flounder from 60% commercial and 40% recreational to an even 50-50 split. The Board and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) will continue to discuss the issue at the Joint Board and Council meeting on October 3-5, 2004 in Ronkonkoma, New York.
The Commission and Council jointly manage summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass, meeting annually to establish commercial quotas and recreational harvest limits. The Commission’s actions regarding Addendum XII are taken exclusively under the states’ management authority.
Copies of the Addendum can be obtained via the Commission’s website at www.asmfc.org under Breaking News or by contacting the Commission at (202)289-6400. For more information, please contact Toni Kerns, Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator, at (202) 289-6400, ext. 330 or tkerns@asmfc.org.