Changes to Summer Flounder Commercial Minimum Mesh Size Flynet Exemption

NOAA Fisheries recently implemented changes to the summer flounder commercial minimum mesh size exemption for vessels fishing with flynet otter trawls, as recommended by the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

BACKGROUND

Federal regulations for the summer flounder trawl fishery require a minimum mesh size of 5.5-inch diamond mesh or 6.0-inch square mesh to retain more than 100 pounds of summer flounder in the summer (May through October) or 200 pounds in winter (November through April). The regulations include an exemption to these requirements for vessels fishing with flynet otter trawls. Flynets are not designed to catch flatfish and generally catch small amounts of summer flounder. The flynet exemption allows vessels targeting other species to legally retain incidental catch of summer flounder in excess of the 100 and 200 pound seasonal possession limits, provided the vessel also holds a summer flounder moratorium permit. Vessels fishing under the exemption must continue to comply with applicable federal regulations as well as the regulations of the state in which they are permitted, including seasons and possession limits.

WHAT IS CHANGING?

1. Updated Definition of "Flynet"

The regulatory definition of a flynet has been revised to reflect modern net configurations used throughout the region. To qualify as a flynet, an otter trawl must have the following configuration:

1. The net has large mesh in the wings that measures 8 inches (20.3 cm) or greater.
2. The first body section (belly) of the net has at least 280 inches (711.2 cm) of mesh behind the sweep where the mesh size is at least 8 inches (20.3 cm).
3. The mesh decreases in size throughout the body of the net toward the codend.

⚠️ Important: To utilize the flynet exemption, vessels must have no other nets or netting with mesh smaller than 5.5 inches (14.0 cm) on board.

2. New Flynet Gear Code for VTR Reporting

A new gear code has been implemented to improve monitoring of trips taken under the flynet exemption. When submitting Vessel Trip Reports (VTRs), flynet operators must now select the appropriate gear code:

Accurate gear code reporting will support better monitoring of the flynet exemption and inform future management decisions.

The Final Rule implementing these changes also made modifications to the Summer Flounder Small Mesh Exemption Program (SMEP), a seasonal exemption applying to authorized vessels from November 1 through April 30 each year. For more information, visit https://www.mafmc.org/actions/summer-flounder-commercial-mesh-exemptions .