Significant reductions proposed please contact!

[Gruntinbuck]

Significant Reductions to Summer Flounder Quota Proposed for 2017

Anglers Encouraged to Submit Comments by November 30th

 

 

New Gretna, NJ - NOAA Fisheries is soliciting comments from the public in regards to the proposed 2017 and 2018 acceptable biological catch (ABC) for summer flounder. In its federal register notice, NOAA Fisheries is proposing an 11.30 and 13.23 million pound ABC for 2017 and 2018 respectively. If approved, the 2017 ABC of 11.23 million pounds would represent a 29% reduction relative to 2016 and the lowest ABC in the history of summer flounder management. On top of that, NOAA Fisheries is reporting that the recreational sector exceeded its 2016 recreational harvest limit and that the overage would need to be paid back in 2017. The result would produce a reduction going into 2017 close to 40% for recreational anglers.

 

RFA is opposed to the proposed reductions citing the fact that a full benchmark assessment has not been conducted since 2013. An independent review of the current stock assessment found significant deficiencies and suggested that many improvements could be made to the modeling approach. Such improvements could eliminate or lessen the need for quota reductions. RFA requested that a benchmark assessment be conducted in early 2017 so that the 2017 ABC could be set using the most recent scientific information. That request was denied. In response, RFA is supporting status quo by implementing a 16.26 million pound ABC for 2017 and 2018 and requesting that NOAA Fisheries assume that the recreational sector met but did not exceeded its recreational harvest limit in 2016.

 

RFA is encouraging all fishermen to weigh in before the public comment period closes on Wednesday, November 30th. RFA has created an email campaign to make commenting quick and easy to share. Please click on the Action Alert button below, submit your comments and share the link with other fishermen.

 

About Recreational Fishing Alliance

The Recreational Fishing Alliance is a national, grassroots political action organization representing recreational fishermen and the recreational fishing industry on marine fisheries issues.

The RFA Mission is to safeguard the rights of saltwater anglers, protect marine, boat and tackle industry jobs, and ensure the long-term sustainability of our Nation's saltwater fisheries. For more information, call 888-JOIN-RFA or visit www.joinrfa.org .

 

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