Summer Flounder Mesh Regulations and Exemptions

The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council is seeking feedback from fishermen and other interested stakeholders on several summer flounder regulations related to commercial minimum mesh sizes and their exemptions. Specifically, the Council is requesting input on the following:

  1. The appropriateness and equivalence of the current two allowable summer flounder trawl gear minimum mesh sizes (5.5-inch diamond or 6.0-inch square). 

  2. The Small Mesh Exemption Program (SMEP), which allows trawl vessels to obtain a Letter of Authorization 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” diamond or 6.0” square.

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

Comments can be submitted using the form below or emailed to Kiley Dancy (kdancy@mafmc.org) or Hannah Hart (hhart@mamfc.org). Comments must be submitted by November 17, 2023. 

Before completing this form, it may be useful to review the Overview of Summer Flounder Minimum Mesh Size Requirements and Exemptions. 

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Issue #1: Summer Flounder Minimum Mesh Size: 5.5” Diamond or 6.0” Square
Trigger Questions:
  1. What are industry perspectives on the current mesh regulations for summer flounder? Are changes needed?

  2. To what extent is 6.0-inch square vs. 5.5-inch diamond mesh used? What factors influence the choice of mesh?
    (a) Are there circumstances where square mesh is preferred?
    (b) Are there target species, regional factors, or other driving factors?
    (c) Are there differences in the cost or ease of acquiring these different net types?

  3. Is a square mesh regulation still needed? 
    (a) If so, does industry have perspectives on what square mesh would be closer in selectivity to 5.5-inch diamond?
    (b) Alternatively, should the 6.0-inch square mesh option be phased out? How long would an appropriate phase out period be?
    (c) If net regulations are modified, what is the current estimate of costs for any net replacements that may be needed?  
Please provide any comments in the space below.

Issue #2: Small Mesh Exemption Program

Trigger Questions:
  1. What are industry perspectives on current use of the Small Mesh Exemption Program?
    (a) How are vessels using the exemption and in what fisheries?
    (b) Has the use of the exemption program changed over time (e.g., changes in target species, discard rates, timing or frequency of trips, etc.)?
    (c) Are current regulations still serving the original intent of reducing summer flounder discards in small mesh fisheries targeting other species within this timeframe and area?

  2. What are industry recommendations on the Small Mesh Exemption Program? Is there a need to change the details of this exemption or the requirements for participation (e.g., area, timing, possession limit, other)?
Please provide any comments in the space below.

Issue #3: Summer Flounder Flynet Exemption

Trigger Questions:
  1. What does industry consider a flynet for purposes of fishing under this exemption (2-seam net, 4-seam net, etc.)?

  2. Is the flynet exemption widely used?
    (a) In what areas, and for which target species, is this exemption being used?
    (b) To what extent is industry using a 4-seam “high rise” otter trawl under this exemption program?

  3. What is the difference between a flynet and a “high rise” otter trawl in terms of net handling characteristics and fishing efficiency?

  4. What are industry recommendations on the flynet exemption? Is there a need to change or modify this exemption?

Please provide any comments in the space below.
Additional Comments
Please use the space below to provide any any additional information or comments you would like the Council to consider regarding summer flounder mesh and exemption regulations. 
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