Scup Winter I Framework

Overview

This framework will consider options to increase management flexibility during the commercial scup Winter I quota period and preserve harvest opportunities across all three quota periods, when practicable. Potential approaches may include revising Winter I trip limit regulations, requiring VMS catch reporting for federally permitted vessels during the Winter I period, and/or adjusting commercial landing accountability measures. Any changes to specific measures, including possession limits and the percentage threshold activating a reduced trip limit, would be addressed separately through the annual specifications process.

Background

The commercial scup fishery operates year-round, primarily in federal waters during winter and in state waters during summer. The coastwide commercial quota is divided among three quota periods: Winter I (January-April, 45.11%), Summer (May-September, 38.95%), and Winter II (October-December, 15.94%) quota periods. These seasonal allocations are intended to ensure that both smaller day boats, which typically operate near shore in the summer months, and larger vessels, which operate offshore in the winter months, can land scup before the annual quota is reached.

The winter periods are managed with a coastwide quota and possession limits, while the Summer period is managed on a state-by-state basis. During Winter I, the initial possession limit is reduced once a specified percentage of the Winter I quota is landed. This tiered system was designed to distribute landings more evenly across the period and prevent quota overages.

A 2026 evaluation of Winter I performance identified several issues with this system. During Winter I, NOAA Fisheries monitors the commercial quota and adjusts measures as needed (i.e., reduce the possession limit and/or close the fishery). Delayed availability of landings data and the lack of a projection tool have limited managers’ ability to respond in season, increasing the risk of Winter I quota overages. Also, there is no flexibility to preserve harvest opportunities when a Winter I quota overage is unlikely, or when an overage occurs but the overall commercial quota has not been exceeded.

Staff Contact

Action Development Timeline and Status

Action Plan (as of 7/23/26)

April 2026 Council Meeting: The Council reviewed the Scup Winter I Quota Period Landings Threshold Analysis and initiated a framework action.

June 2026 Council Meeting: The Council reviewed, modified, and approved a range of alternatives. 

August 2026 Council Meeting: The Council approved the Scup Winter I Framework for submission to NOAA Fisheries. The Council's preferred alternatives would maintain the current catch reporting requirements for the commercial scup fishery while modifying both the Winter I trip limit regulations and the landings-based accountability measures (see the meeting summary for additional details). The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Management Board initiated a complementary addendum to consider changes to the landings-based accountability measures (an associated press release is available here).

Next Steps: The Council will submit the framework to NOAA Fisheries for review and implementation.