Congressman Harris Announces NOAA Recreational Fishing Measures for 2026 and 2027 Seasons

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) announced new recreational fishing management measures issued by NOAA Fisheries for summer flounder, scup, and black sea bass for the 2026 and 2027 fishing seasons.

NOAA finalized the rule on April 29, 2026, with an effective date of April 30, 2026. The agency also implemented a new Recreational Measures Setting process on April 28, 2026, which will guide how recreational fishing limits are set moving forward.

For 2026 and 2027, NOAA approved the following measures:

• Scup will remain at current recreational harvest levels.
• Summer flounder will continue to be managed through conservation equivalency, allowing Maryland to set state-specific size, season, and possession limits.
• Black sea bass will also be managed through conservation equivalency, with a 20 percent increase in allowable harvest across participating states.

Maryland-specific limits and seasons will be set by state fisheries managers.

NOAA is accepting public comment on the new process through May 28, 2026, and on the 2026 and 2027 recreational measures through May 15, 2026.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

"I'm grateful to Assistant Administrator Piñeiro Soler and his entire team at NOAA Fisheries for, following my office's engagement, working to quickly remedy the delay in releasing updated recreational measures for the 2026 season. These new measures will provide much-needed economic certainty to the recreational fishing industry in Ocean City and across the Mid-Atlantic region. Make no mistake, I will always fiercely advocate for Maryland's treasured fishing community."

Statement from Sonny Gwin, President of the Worcester County Watermen's Association:

"We would like to thank Congressman Andy Harris for his quick response to this issue. This will be a great relief economically for the recreational sector and a chance to go fishing when stocks are abundantly high."

The full text of the letter can be viewed here.
NOAA's announcement can be viewed here.

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at [email protected]