During their joint meeting this week, the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) finalized specifications for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass for the 2026-2027 fishing seasons. Although scup and summer flounder will maintain status quo measures, the Council and Commission approved a 20% increase in the black sea bass harvest limit. This increase marks the first time since 2012 that a liberalization has been approved for black sea bass in the mid-Atlantic despite the continuous population increase over that timeframe.
The black sea bass conversation centered on the magnitude of the liberalization recommended by the percent change approach. This approach recommends liberalizations and reductions to measures based on stock biomass and projected harvest. Since 2008, black sea bass biomass has increased significantly. The biomass is currently at its highest point since 1990 while continuing to trend upwards. Increasing access to recreational anglers was the correct decision, and ASA is pleased to see the Council and Commission moving in the right direction.