25 Aug 2025

🎣Notice on Control Date for Northeastern Recreational Fisheries

Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking To Establish a Control Date for the Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Recreational For-Hire Fisheries

Summary

This advance notice of proposed rulemaking seeks comment on the benefits or disadvantages of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) potentially recommending future restrictions for the federally permitted recreational for-hire fisheries for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. The Council requested NMFS establish a control date while managers consider if, and how, participation may be affected through the ongoing Recreational Sector Separation and Data Collection Amendment. NMFS is informing the public of the new control date to promote awareness of the potential changes to eligibility criteria for future access and to discourage speculative entry into the Federal for-hire fisheries.

Agencies

  • Commerce Department
  • National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Business Impact ?

$$ - Med

The proposed control date for recreational fisheries impacts business owners in the fishing industry by signaling potential future restrictions on participation, which could affect their operations and profitability. The average participant must consider the implications of their entry after February 11, 2025, due to uncertainties in access rights.

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