Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass

Overview

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council manages summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass under a single fishery management plan (FMP). Because of their presence in, and movement between, state waters (0-3 miles) and federal waters (3-200 miles), the Council manages these species cooperatively with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The two management bodies work in conjunction with the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) as the federal implementation and enforcement entity. The management unit for summer flounder extends from the U.S.-Canadian border to the southern border of North Carolina, while the management units for scup and black sea bass extend from the U.S.- Canadian border to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. 

The Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP uses output controls (catch and landings limits) as the primary management tool, with landings divided between the commercial and recreational fisheries. Quotas are set based on current science and the Council’s risk policy to avoid overfishing and rebuild stocks if/when necessary. The FMP also includes minimum fish sizes, bag limits, seasons, gear restrictions, permit requirements, and other provisions to prevent overfishing and ensure sustainability of the fisheries.

Staff Contacts

Species

Species
Summer Flounder

Summer Flounder
Paralichthys dentatus

Scup

Scup
Stenotomus chrysops

Black Sea Bass

Black Sea Bass
Centropristis striata

Related Pages and Resources

Regulations

Additional information about the management and status of summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass, including commercial and recreational fishing regulations, is available on the NOAA Fisheries FishWatch profiles linked below.

Federal regulations are also described in the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR) section for each species:

Actions Under Development

The section below lists any FMP frameworks or amendments currently under development. See the current year's Implementation Plan for details on upcoming specifications and other actions that may affect this FMP.

Actions Under Development
Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum
Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum

This action will consider potential changes to two exemptions to the summer flounder commercial minimum mesh size requirements.

Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda

This joint MAFMC-ASMFC action will consider an improved process for setting recreational management measures for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. This is a follow-on action to the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda.

Flatfish in Seagrass.JPG
Omnibus Essential Fish Habitat Amendment

This action will concurrently conduct the 5-year EFH review required under the Magnuson Stevens Act while amending fishery management plans for the Council, as needed.

Fishery Performance Reports

The Council's advisory panels develop Fishery Performance Reports (FPR) each year to provide the Council and Scientific and Statistical Committee with an annual description of the factors that influenced fishing effort and catch within each of the Council’s fisheries. These reports are intended to summarize fishermen's "on-the-water" perspectives, including information about fishing effort, market trends, and environmental changes, and other factors that may not be fully accounted for in the stock assessment process.

Fishery Information Documents

Fishery Information Documents (FID) are developed annually for each species. The purpose of these documents is to summarize the most recent catch, landings, and effort data. Older FIDs are available here.

Fishery Management Plan and Amendments

Council-Sponsored Studies