Federal Register #0648-BO39

NMFS Issues 2026-2027 Recreational Fishery Management Measures for Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass

This regulatory announcement from the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), part of NOAA within the Commerce Department, details new management measures for recreational fisheries in the Northeastern U.S. for 2026-2027. - Government Buyer: - National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Department of Commerce - Scope: - Implements federal management measures for recreational fishing of summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass - Applies to federal waters (Massachusetts through North Carolina) and state waters (Florida to Maine) - Developed in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission - Key Provisions: - Ensures recreational harvest targets are met without exceeding them to prevent overfishing - Allows for conservation equivalency, enabling states to implement measures equivalent in conservation effect to federal standards - Notable Details: - No procurement of products or services; this is a regulatory action - No OEMs, vendors, or contract opportunities are involved

Description

NMFS approves and implements Federal management measures for the 2026 and 2027 summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass recreational fisheries. This action implements management measures intended to allow these recreational fisheries to achieve, but not exceed, the recreational harvest target and thereby prevent overfishing. The measures are developed in cooperation with the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, covering Federal and state waters from Massachusetts through North Carolina. Conservation equivalency allows for consistent recreational measures in state and Federal waters, clarifying requirements for anglers and increasing compliance.

View original listing