Overview
The Recreational Reform Initiative is an effort of the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) to improve management of the recreational fisheries for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. The goals of the Initiative are to (1) provide stability in the recreational bag, size, and season limits, (2) develop strategies to increase management flexibility, and (3) achieve accessibility aligned with availability/stock status for all four species.
This initiative aims to address a range of challenges in recreational fisheries management. These include widespread angler dissatisfaction with some recreational management measures, stakeholder perceptions that measures are not reflective of stock status, and concerns about how Marine Recreational Information Program (MRIP) data are used to manage these fisheries.
Recreational Reform Management Actions
The Council and Commission initiated a framework/addenda and an amendment to address several topics. Below are brief descriptions and status updates for each action.
The Council and Commission also considered development of a technical guidance document to address several topics, including best practices for identifying and smoothing MRIP outlier estimates, use of preliminary current year MRIP data, and guidelines for maintaining status quo recreational measures. In December 2022, they agreed the technical guidance document is no longer a priority as many of these topics have already been at least partially addressed through other actions, including development of the Recreation Demand Model for setting recreational bag, size, and season limits.
1. Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda
The Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda was the first management action developed through this initiative. This action implemented changes to the process for setting recreational bag, size, and season limits (i.e., recreational measures) for summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish. Under the Percent Change Approach, a determination is made to either liberalize, restrict, or leave measures unchanged based on two factors: 1) Comparison of a confidence interval around an estimate of expected harvest under status quo measures to the average recreational harvest limit for the upcoming two years and 2) Biomass compared to the target level, as defined by the most recent stock assessment. These two factors are used to define a target harvest level for setting management measures. The target is defined as a percentage difference from expected harvest under status quo measures. (see this table for additional details). This action also modified the recreational accountability measures.
Status: In June 2022, the Council and the Commission’s Policy Board reviewed public comments and took final action on the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda. NOAA Fisheries published a final rule on 3/9/23. The new process was used for the first time for setting the 2023 recreational measures for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass. It will not apply to bluefish while that stock is under a rebuilding plan. The new process will sunset no later than the end of 2025. The Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda is an ongoing new management action to consider the appropriate replacement for the Percent Change Approach after the sunset period.
2. Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda
The Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda considers the appropriate replacement for the Percent Change Approach after the sunset period. Several previously considered alternatives from the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda will be further developed through this action.
3. Recreational Sector Separation and Catch Accounting Amendment
The Council and Commission also initiated an amendment to consider the following topics:
Options for managing for-hire recreational fisheries separately from other recreational fishing modes (referred to as sector separation)
Options related to recreational catch accounting, such as private angler reporting and enhanced vessel trip report requirements.
Status: In February 2021, development of this amendment was put on hold to prioritize development of the Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda. The Council and Policy Board agreed to continue to develop this amendment in 2024. Next steps include development of a draft document for scoping hearings.
Contacts
Julia Beaty, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, jbeaty@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5250
Kiley Dancy, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, kdancy@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5257
Hannah Hart, Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, hhart@mafmc.org, (302) 526-5263
Tracey Bauer, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, tbauer@asmfc.org (703) 842-0740
Chelsea Tuohy, Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, ctuohy@asmfc.org (703) 842-0740
Timeline and Documents
Most recent updates are at the top of the list.
February 2023 – Present (Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda)
Since February 2023, the Council and Commission have been focusing on development of the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda. Updates and documents related to this action are available on the Recreational Measures Setting Process Framework/Addenda action page.
February 2021 – June 2022 (Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda)
From February 2021 through June 2022, the Council and Commission focused on development of the Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda. Updates and documents related to this action are available on the Recreational Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addenda action page.
October 2019-February 1, 2021 (Initial Planning and Prioritization of Topics)
February 1, 2021 Council/Policy Board Meeting – agreed to focus on Harvest Control Rule Framework/Addendum as an immediate priority
December 2020 Council/Board Meeting – Received update
October 2020 Council/Board Meeting – Reviewed topics and initiated management actions
August 6, 2020 Council/Board Meeting – Received update and discussed next steps
June 2020 Council/Board Meeting – Reviewed draft outline and discussed next steps
October 2019 Council and Board Meeting – Reviewed and provided feedback on steering committee recommendations