As an advisor on our state’s recreational summer flounder committee, I attended the special meeting on 3/15. A slight to moderate majority of those present favored the option with the season running from 5/2-9/30 with a 6 fish bag limit at 18”, which is the same option that JCAA overwhelmingly supported. However, our marine fisheries council expressed concern that this option might cause us to exceed our quota which would result in the overage being deducted from next year’s quota. A new option was proposed with a season from 5/7-9/25 with an 18” size limit. This new option might include an 8 fish bag limit as the liberalization % is not affected at all by going from 6 to 8 fish. There are probably going to be a couple more new options and some of the ones that were previously approved will be deleted. The council does not want a lot of options as it will be confusing.
| Option | Size Limit (inches) | Bag Limit | Open Season | # Days Open | Liberalization NJ VAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | 8 | May 14-Sept 18 | 128 | 62 |
| 2 | 18 | 8 | May 7-Sept 25 | 142 | 77 |
| 3 | 17.5 / 18 | 1 / 5 | May 21-Sept 5 | 108 | 81 |
| 4 | 17 / 18 | 1 / 5 | May 28-Aug 28 | 93 | 81 |
The regulations for fluke will be set at the public meeting on 4/7 which will be held at 4 pm at the Galloway Public Library located at 306 E. Jimmie Leeds Rd., Galloway Township, N.J. 08205. The council had hoped to have the meeting in more centrally located Toms River as it did last year but unfortunately that location had already been booked by someone else. Regardless of your viewpoint, it is important to go to the meeting and make your opinion known. Remember that when you do so, be specific in stating the season, size limit and bag limit you prefer as the option numbers or letters are going to change.
