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ASMFC Surprisingly Approves Lower Fluke QuotaThe Star-Ledger Al Ristori - Start Ledger Staff (from Jersey Coast Anglers Association January 2006 Newsletter) The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission had a chance to stand up to the National Marine Fisheries Service at Tuesday evening's meeting in Trump Plaza in Atlantic City. Instead, ASMFC voted to accept the sharply lower fluke quota of 23.59 million pounds that NMFS insisted on -- a 22 percent decrease for 2006 from this year's 30.3 million pounds, and a 28.5 percent decrease from the 33 million pound quota projected last year for 2006. Only 40 percent of the fluke quota is allocated to the public, and that could result in further recreational fishing restrictions. The only good news is that preliminary Marine Recreational Fishing Statistics Survey (MRFSS) results indicate most states underfished their quotas this year. With the last late-season wave still not available, New Jersey was about 30 percent under quota. That will at least partially mitigate the damage done by a lower quota and there shouldn't be any severe tightening of regulations next year. It's a shame ASMFC didn't take this opportunity to stand up to NMFS. The agency based its case on retrospective analysis of the fishery that indicated overfishing is occurring relative to the 2010 stock size goal, though the stock is in good shape and continuing to grow. As noted after last month's ASMFC meeting in Galloway Township, the Monitoring Committee had approved a constant harvest strategy of 26 million pounds for the next three years that would result in the stock size desired by 2010. The Mid-Atlantic Council also opted for that concept, but NMFS rejected it because it wouldn't provide at least a 50 percent chance of achieving the target in the first year. When ASMFC concluded its last meeting, a motion to accept 26 million pounds for 2006 was tabled. The sponsor, from New York, amended his motion to the 23.59 million pounds dictated by NMFS. His state's reasoning is that while they'll take a big hit next year (New York is also about 10 percent over quota in the MRFSS), that will allow New York to seek higher quotas the following two years rather than being obligated to stay at the constant harvest figure. Ray Bogan, counsel for the United Boatmen, called the socio- economic statement issued by NMFS in connection with the 23.59 million pound quota "irresponsible". Council member Tony Bogan also denounced the NMFS statement. "While it is likely that proposed management measures could restrict the recreational fishery for 2006, and that these measures may cause some decrease in recreational satisfaction, there is no indication that any of these measures may lead to decline in the demand for party/charter boat trips," Tony Bogan said. Further along, the NMFS statement noted, "It is likely that party/ charter anglers will target other species when faced with potential reductions in the amount of summer flounder, scup and black sea bass that they are allowed to catch." That illustrates just how little NMFS understands recreational fisheries. Very few fluke fishermen will switch to a bluefish boat if fluking is slow or limits so restrictive that the fare can't be justified. Bruce Freeman of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Game emphasized the importance of consistency in regulations and urged that some common sense be injected into the process. That wasn't the case, since the 23.59 million pounds was accepted by a vote of 6 to 4. Tony Bogan pushed for a drop in the sea bass size limit at yesterday's joint meeting of the Council with the ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass Management Board, but the end result was status quo (no change in regulations) for both porgies and sea bass. Bogan said the discard rate for sea bass has been climbing ever since the 12-inch limit was put in place, and is up to 82 percent while the catch falls short of the quota. He noted if that were the case on the commercial side there would be changes made to ensure they could catch their quota. |