Public Hearings Scheduled for Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Exemptions Framework/Addendum
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) are considering potential changes to the Summer Flounder Small Mesh Exemption Program and the flynet exemption from the summer flounder commercial minimum mesh size requirements. The Council is considering these changes through a framework action, and the Commission is considering an identical set of options through a draft addendum.
The Council and Commission initiated this action in response to industry feedback and issues raised during a review of summer flounder commercial mesh regulations in 2023. Specifically, the framework/draft addendum considers changes to (1) the western boundary of the Small Mesh Exemption Program area, (2) the Small Mesh Exemption Program review criteria and methodology, and (3) the regulatory definition of flynet. The Commission’s Draft Document for Public Comment provides detailed information about the specific management options under consideration.
Public Hearings
The Commission has scheduled two virtual public hearings to gather input on the draft addendum. The hearings will be held September 16 and 17, 2024, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Although the Council’s framework development process does not include public hearings, all public comments provided during the Commission’s comment period will be considered by both groups before taking final action. Written comments will be accepted through September 28, 2024. Please see the Commission’s press release for additional details, including webinar registration information and instructions for submitting comments.
Learn More
The Council’s Summer Flounder Commercial Mesh Size Exemptions Framework/Addendum page contains further details, including an action development timeline and links to relevant background documents. Additionally, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Council on the Ocean (MARCO) Data Portal will soon be adding a new map layer that allows users to examine and evaluate the proposed Small Mesh Exemption Area boundary changes in combination with any of the Portal’s thousands of layers depicting marine life distributions, commercial fishing activity, seafloor habitat and ocean conditions, and much more. Additional information about how to access the map layer will be posted on the action page once available.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Kiley Dancy (kdancy@mafmc.org, 302-526-5257) or Chelsea Tuohy (ctuohy@asmfc.org, 703-842-0740).
Source: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
