NOAA Fisheries announces the final 2022 recreational management measures for the federal summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass fisheries, as described below.
Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass
Conservation equivalency has been approved for both the summer flounder and black sea bass recreational fisheries in 2022. Under conservation equivalency, the federal recreational minimum sizes, possession limits, and fishing seasons are waived in favor of those recreational management measures developed by states or regions that will achieve an equivalent necessary level of conservation. Please contact your state agency for more information on your 2022 recreational summer flounder and black sea bass management measures.
Scup
NOAA Fisheries is not implementing a closure of the federal recreational scup fishery. Instead, the minimum size is increasing by 1 inch, resulting in a minimum size of 10-inches total length. The year-round open season and 50 fish per person bag limit remain unchanged. Please consult with your state regulations prior to fishing, as you must abide by the most restrictive regulations if fishing in both federal and state waters.
| Species | Open Season | Bag Limit | Minimum Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer Flounder | See State Regulations | ||
| Scup | All Year | 50 fish per person | 10 inches total length |
| Black Sea Bass | See State Regulations | ||
This bulletin serves as a Small Entity Compliance Guide, complying with section 212 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996.
