Notice of Availability: Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment
On May 4, 2023, NOAA Fisheries published a Notice of Availability for Amendment 23 to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP), also known as the Black Sea Bass Commercial State Allocation Amendment. The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission jointly developed this action, which proposes to establish commercial state-by-state allocations for black sea bass in the Federal fishery management plan and regulations and change the trigger for the in-season closure accountability measures. Amendment 23 is intended to address the allocation-related impacts of the significant changes in the distribution of black sea bass that have occurred since the original allocations were implemented.
The Notice of Availability explains that the agency is considering disapproving the portion of the amendment that would add the commercial state black sea bass allocations to the Federal FMP. A proposed rule is expected in the coming weeks. Comments on the amendment and forthcoming proposed rule are due July 3, 2023.
Source: Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council
