Scup are a migratory, schooling species found on the continental shelf of the Northwest Atlantic, commonly inhabiting waters from Cape Cod, Massachusetts to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina. The abundance of scup in a specific area is frequently influenced by water temperature. Scup prefer temperatures greater than 45 degrees F and are most frequently encountered in water temperatures from 55 to 77 degrees F.

The new scup assessment model, approved by the 2008 Data Poor Stocks Working Group, is a statistical catch at age model. This model incorporates a broader range of fishery and survey data than was used previously. The scup stock is rebuilt and overfishing is not occurring.

The management program divides a total annual quota between the recreational fishery (22%) and the commercial fishery (78%). Technical advice to managers includes a gradual increase in quotas due to the uncertainty in the model estimates. Recreational fishery management measures usually include a combination of minimum size limits, bag limits, and fishing seasons. Since 2004, the states of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New York have formed a northern region when setting their recreational regulations. This regional approach creates consistency between the states where fishermen from different states are often fishing alongside each other in the same waters.

The commercial quota is divided into three quota periods, Winter I (January - April), Summer (May - October) and Winter II (November - December). A coastwide quota regulates the winter periods, while state-by-state quotas regulate the summer period. Specific management measures for the commercial fishery include minimum size limits, minimum mesh requirements for trawls, a moratorium on entry into the fishery and closed seasons. <species profile> <stock status> <habitat fact sheet>

Contacts

• Toni Kerns, Senior FMP Coordinator for Management
• Management Board
  • Chair, Jack Travelstead
• Technical Committee
  • Chair, Rich Wong
• Technical Monitoring Committee
• Advisory Panel

Management Reports & Actions

• Amendment 13 to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan - Executive Summary (August 2002)
  • Addendum XIII (August 2004)
  • Addendum IX (March 2003)
  • Addendum XI (January 2004)
  • Addendum XIX (August 2007)
• Fishery Management Plan and Addendum I for Scup (March 1996)
  • Addendum III (March 2001)
  • Addendum IV (January 2001)
  • Addendum V (February 2002)
  • Addendum VII (February 2002)

* Previous plans and addenda can be found at Fishery Management Reports or by contacting the Commission at (202)289-6400.

Annual Reports

• FMP Reviews 2006 2005 2004 2002 2000
• Stock Assessment Reports
• State-by-State Regulations
• NEW: 2009 Recreational Measures

Upcoming Meetings/Annoucements

3/31 (1:00 – 5:00 PM) & 4/1 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM):
ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Technical Committee, Radisson Plaza Lord Baltimore, 20 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, Maryland.

Pending Actions for Public Input

Press Releases

Scup Board Increases TAL to 11.18 Million Pounds for 2009 Fishery (February 4, 2009)

ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Approves Addendum XIX (August 14, 2007)

ASMFC Approves 2008 TALs for Summer Flounder, Scup, Black Sea Bass, and Bluefish (August 9, 2007)

ASMFC Approves Amendment 14 to the Scup FMP (May 10, 2007)

ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Board Releases Draft Addendum XIX for Public Comment (May 10, 2007)

ASMFC Releases Draft Amendment 14 to the Scup FMP for Public Comment (February 16, 2007)

ASMFC & MAFMC Approve 2007 TALs for Scup & Black Sea Bass (August 4, 2006)

ASMFC Board Approves Addendum XVI to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Plan: Addendum Establishes Procedures to Address Delayed Implementation of Required Fisheries Management Measures (May 10, 2006)

ASMFC Board Approves Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Public Information Document for Public Comment (March 21, 2006)

States Schedule Public Meetings to Gather Comment on Draft Addendum to Address Delayed Implementation of Required Fisheries Management Measures for Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass (November 23, 2005)

ASMFC Approves Draft Addendum XVI to the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass FMP for Public Comment Addendum to Address Delayed Implementation (November 3, 2005)

ASMFC & MAFMC Approve 2006 TALs for Bluefish, Scup and Black Sea Bass (August 12, 2005)

States Approve Addendum XV and XVI for Public Comment (October 14, 2004)

ASMFC to Hold Industry Workshop on Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass (September 10, 2004)

ASMFC & MAFMC Approve 2005 TALs for Bluefish, Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass: Assessments Show Continued Improvements to Summer Flounder & Black Sea Bass Stocks (August 13, 2004)

ASMFC Forwards New York Noncompliance Finding to the Secretaries of Commerce & the Interior for Action (June 17, 2004)

States Schedule Hearings for Addenda XII & XIII: Public Comment Accepted until July 9, 2004 (June 17, 2004)

ASMFC Board Approves Addenda XII and XIII for Public Comment: State Hearings to be Held in June & July (May 25, 2004)

ASMFC Board Takes Action on Scup, Black Sea Bass and Summer Flounder Management Measures (March 12, 2004)

ASMFC Approves Draft Scup Addendum XI for Public Comment (December 22, 2003)

ASMFC Approves Scup Addendum XI: Northern States to Reduce Recreational Landings by 57% (January 22, 2004)