Federal Officials Gather to Discuss Summer Flounder Policy Decisions
Published Date: 11/26/2025
Notice
Summary
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is holding public meetings from December 16-18, 2025, to decide on fishing rules for important species like Atlantic mackerel, river herring, and spiny dogfish. Fishermen, seafood businesses, and coastal communities will feel the impact as the Council sets new catch limits and rebuilding plans. You can join in person in Washington, DC, or online to see how these changes might affect fishing seasons and industry money.
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 4 mixed.
Atlantic Mackerel Catch Limits and Rebuilding
The Council will decide on an Atlantic mackerel framework that includes rebuilding actions and 2026-2027 specifications, and will review a River Herring/Shad cap during the December 16–18, 2025 meetings. Fishermen, seafood businesses, and coastal communities are explicitly identified as groups that will feel the impact when the Council sets new catch limits and rebuilding plans.
Spiny Dogfish 2026-2027 Specifications
The Council will review the joint MAFMC-NEFMC spiny dogfish framework, including possible modifications to accountability measures and the 2026-2027 specifications, at the December 16–18, 2025 meetings. The Federal Register notice says these decisions will affect fishermen and seafood businesses as the Council considers changes.
Summer Flounder/Scup/Black Sea Bass Recreational Rules
At the December 16–18, 2025 meetings the Council and ASMFC will review recommendations and determine percent changes in expected harvest under the Percent Change Approach for 2026-2027 for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. The group will recommend recreational management measures and consider conservation equivalency or coastwide management for 2026-2027, which the notice identifies as affecting recreational fisheries and related stakeholders.
Recreational Sector Separation Amendment Review
The Council will review draft alternatives for a Recreational Sector Separation Amendment during the December 16–18, 2025 meetings and provide input to refine draft alternatives for inclusion in a Draft Amendment/Public Hearing Document. The notice lists this as an agenda item that will shape future recreational fishing management options.
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