Mid-Atlantic Council Seeks Public Input on Summer Flounder Mesh Regulations and Exemptions

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking stakeholder input on several summer flounder regulations related to commercial minimum mesh sizes and their exemptions. Council staff and a contractor are currently evaluating whether modifications to these measures are needed. Feedback from fishing industry participants and other stakeholders is critical to a successful review of these regulations. The Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board will review public comments and consider next steps at their December 2023 joint meeting.

Which Regulations are Under Review?

  • Summer flounder trawl gear minimum mesh sizes (5.5-inch diamond or 6.0-inch square). Based on a recent study there is some concern that the selectivity of the 6.0” square mesh is not equivalent to that of the 5.5” diamond mesh and the 6.0” square mesh may be retaining too many undersized fish.

  • The Small Mesh Exemption Program (SMEP), which allows trawl vessels to obtain a Letter of Authorization (LOA) to land more than 200 pounds of summer flounder east of longitude 72° 30.0'W, from November 1 through April 30, using mesh smaller than 5.5-inch diamond or 6.0-inch square.

  • The flynet exemption to the minimum mesh size requirement, which provides an exemption to the minimum mesh size requirements for vessels fishing with a two-seam otter trawl flynet.

Please see the Overview of Summer Flounder Minimum Mesh Size Requirements and Exemptions for additional information and discussion questions for each issue.

The Council held a public webinar on November 1, 2023 to solicit input on these regulations from stakeholders. A recording of this webinar is available at the bottom of this page or at the following link:

Who Should Provide Comments?

Any stakeholder with an interest in these measures is invited to submit written comments. The Council is particularly seeking input from:

  • Participants in the commercial trawl fishery for summer flounder (all states and areas).

  • Participants in commercial trawl fisheries for summer flounder and/or other species who utilize the Small Mesh Exemption Program and/or flynet exemption.

Meeting Materials

Written Comment Instructions

Written comments will be accepted until November 17, 2023. Comments may be submitted through an online comment form or emailed to Kiley Dancy or Hannah Hart.

Staff Contacts