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2014 NJ Fluke Regulations (Proposed Options)


BowhunterNJ

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Here's the link to the article on what was discussed in the meeting regarding the proposed options for 2014 NJ Fluke Regulations per the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission: http://www.asmfc.org/files/PublicInput/SF_BSB_DraftAddendum%20XXV_PublicComment_RevisedJan2014.pdf

 

 

Per the options deduced from the latest APP article, these appear to be the options being voted on:

  • Option 1: 4 fish @18" from May 1 to Sept 30
  • Option 2: 4 fish @18" from May 15 to Oct 15
  • Option 3: 5 fish @17.5" for 94 days
  • Option 4: 5 fish @18" for 120 days
  • Option 5: 5 fish @18.5" for 184 days
Source link:  http://www.nj.com/sh...fluke_regs.html

 

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This regs are not boding well at all for recreational fluke fisherman.. looks like they want a 21% reduction in fluke catches from last year which we all know was already horrible. Looks like there asking for a 4 fish limit at 18"...

 

I love fluke fishing as much as anyone but its hard to justify the cost of making trips to catch nothing in the Delaware Bay. Ive never seen as many boats for sale as I did at the end of last summer. Guys just gave up.

Personally its not worth spending 100-200 to catch a couple keeper flounder anymore.

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PredaTorch.com         Hot Estrous Doe and Other Deer Scent, Night Predator Lights

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2.4 Status of the Stock

2.4.1 Summer Flounder

The most recent peer-reviewed benchmark assessment for summer flounder was

conducted by the July 2013 Stock Assessment Workshop/Stock Assessment Review

Committee. The assessment utilizes an age-structured assessment model called ASAP.

Results of the benchmark assessment indicate that the summer flounder stock was not

overfished and overfishing was not occurring in 2012 relative to the biological reference

points. The fishing mortality rate has been below 1.0 since 1997 and was estimated to be

0.285 in 2012, below the threshold fishing mortality reference point FMSY = 0.309.

Spawning stock biomass (SSB) was estimated to be 113 million pounds (51,238 mt) in

2012, about 82% of SSBMSY = 137.555 million pounds (62,394 mt). NOAA Fisheries

declared the summer flounder stock rebuilt in 2010, based on the 2011 assessment

update.

 

Yet we are cutting the limits for recreational fishermen why?

Lower mortality rate below the threshold, and a "officially" declared rebuilt stock in 2010 onward.

 

From what I've been reading around the web it sounds like they are driving to that 4 fish at 18" option Palawman20 mentioned, which is starting to reach the point of exactly what he said...is it even worth going on trips for a partial (now half) old limit. 1/2 day boats may prosper with the lesser cost, but as a fisherman...I feel like every year we just keep going backwards.

 

Or perhaps this is their traditional "scare" option to make fishermen feel like they're losing ground and then they'll push out a 5 fish at 18" in 2014 from 5 fish at 17.5" in 2013 to make us feel like we "got something back" even though we're still losing ground. Seems like every year they come out with ridiculous options that throw fishermen into a panic and then they throttle them back, but they are still less opportunity than the previous year.

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jersey makes up the bulk of the eastern fluke catches. They figure by limiting jerseys catches the fluke will continue the northerly migration and other states will get in on the catches to.

 

 

The real issue with fluke as I said before is the commercial fishery. The size limit is way to small. The size limits should be the EXACT SAME for both fisheries.

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Interesting...so how do NJ anglers influence the lesser catches and smaller fish in southern states?

We're impacting the entire east coast?

 

IMO there is a ton of fish out there, and even per the ASMFC, the stocks were "rebuilt" fully in 2010.

Now every year since we've STILL had more stringent recreational limits.

Their numbers/estimates and regulations conflict.

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Here's the latest APP article on the outcome of last night's meeting.
So if I'm reading it correctly, the options seem to be:

  • Option 1: 4 fish @18" from May 1 to Sept 30
  • Option 2: 4 fish @18" from May 15 to Oct 15
  • Option 3: 5 fish @17.5" for 94 days
  • Option 4: 5 fish @18" for 120 days
  • Option 5: 5 fish @18.5" for 184 days

 

There was of anger expressed at last night's ASMFC public nearing in Toms River on Addendum XXV to the Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Plan. However, when it came down to having to select management options there was little variation.

The status quo in Option 1 for fluke was most popular, along with Option 2 that works with it to again provide the possibility of receiving extra quota from states not using all of that allocated to them. Option 1 provides coastwise or conservation equivalency. Under the former, the season would be for a bag of four fluke at an 18-inch minimum from May 1 to Sept. 30 -- or May 15 to Oct. 15. No one wanted that, but state officials provided the likely conservation equivalency alternates that will be presented to the Marine Fisheries Council to choose from.

With a five-fish bag there could be the same 17 1/2-inch minimum as last year with a season of 94 days; or the state could opt for 18 inches that would provide 120 days; or 18 1/2 inches for 184 days.

Check tomorrow for the sea bass regs.



http://www.nj.com/shore/blogs/fishing/index.ssf/2014/01/a_look_at_possible_fluke_regs.html

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