2026 and Projected 2027 Summer Flounder and Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish Specifications

NMFS is proposing the Council and the Commission’s Bluefish Board recommended 2026 and projected 2027 summer flounder, scup, black sea bass, and bluefish specifications. This action would set the acceptable biological catch (ABC) limits, as well as the recreational and commercial annual catch limits (ACL), annual catch targets (ACT), commercial quotas, and recreational harvest limits (RHL) for all four species. No changes to the commercial management measures are being proposed. An increase the possession limits in the recreational bluefish fishery are proposed. Recreational management measures for the other species will be implemented at a later date through a separate action.