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Summer Flounder - More Tough Choices for 2002

by Frank Richetti

(from Jersey Coast Anglers Association February 2002 Newsletter)

The fluke regulation for 2002 will once again be "choose your poison." We are looking at larger size limits if we want a longer fishing season than last year. The short 2001 fishing season was a compromise of starting and closing dates that really didn't make anyone in the state happy. Different areas of the state and different segments of the fishing industry look to maximize their potential with the limited choice that we have. For instance, many folks in the lower half of the state push for an early opening saying that big fluke are available in the back bays in April. An April start would give a much-needed economic boost to tackle shops that endured a long slow winter. The party boat industry prefers to have the bulk of the season in the normally peak months of July and August and would like it to continue well into October. We all lament the fact that some of the nicest fluke are caught after the season has closed and therefore must be released.

The 2002 season will again be a compromise between the different interests in the state. The recreational community in 2001 again exceeded their landing target by more than 40%. But our quota has been increased for the first time in seven years. So instead of needing a 40% reduction, we only need to reduce our landing by 16% as compared to last year. Our target for 2002 is 9.72 million pounds coast wide.

The NJ Division of Fish & Wildlife has put together some tables of sizes and seasons that should meet the required reduction on recreational caught fluke. These tables are not official yet because they need to be approved by the National Marine Fisheries Service, but the Division has a good track record for submitting tables that meet the plan requirements.

Obviously, if we stay with the current 16 inch minimum size and 8 fish bag limit, the 2002 season will be shorter than last year. Two examples from the table are a 5/04 start would end on 8/19 and a 6/01 start would end on 8/27. I don't see how we could live with such a truncated season.

If we go to a 16.5 inch fish, a 5/04 start would end on 9/19 and a 6/10 start would end on 10/01.

Cutting the bag limit to 6 fish does not give any more days of fishing. Cutting to 4 fish gives only a few more days of fishing. If we go to a 17 inch minimum the season becomes much longer. A 4/06 start would end on 10/31 and a 4/20 start would end on 12/31. Any later start will take us through the end of the year.

Once again, we have a tough choice to make. Every time we increase the size limit it becomes harder to find keepers and especially impacts the inshore fishery. With a 17 inch fish maybe 1 in 100 fish caught in the rivers and bays will be a keeper. More people will be cut out of the fishery. The NJ Marine Fisheries Council will be making the decision on the 2002 fluke season at the March 7 meeting in Galloway Township. They will vote on which combination of size & season will best suit the needs of Jersey anglers. Public comment is part of the decision-making process, so make sure your voice is heard by attending this meeting.