Fisheries of the Northeastern United States; Summer Flounder Fishery; Quota Transfer From North Carolina to Massachusetts
Key claim: North Carolina is shifting part of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to Massachusetts, so Massachusetts boats may land more flounder this year and North Carolina boats less.
Abstract
(Rule · Commerce Department, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) NMFS announces that the State of North Carolina is transferring a portion of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This adjustment to the 2026 fishing year quota is necessary to comply with the Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plan (FMP) quota transfer provisions. This announcement informs the public of the revised 2026 commercial quotas for North Carolina and Massachusetts.
Why this matters
North Carolina is shifting part of its 2026 commercial summer flounder quota to Massachusetts, so Massachusetts boats may land more flounder this year and North Carolina boats less.