When the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council (MAFMC) voted to remove the previously-adopted closure of the recreational scup fishery in federal waters from January 1 to April 30, it effectively resulted in a year-round open porgy season in federal waters. Regrettably, the MAFMC also agreed that states will have to implement a 10% reduction in the recreational harvest of porgy in 2024/2025 meaning a regulatory change to season, size and bag limits beginning this season.
In other words, before Atlantic Coastal states can enjoy a porgy reopening they each have to first let NOAA Fisheries know how they plan on implementing a 10% overall harvest cut in the scup fishery.
“No state can reopen porgy without a conservation equivalency proposal,” said Jeff Brust, Chief at the Bureau of Marine Fisheries in New Jersey during the January 5th meeting of the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council (NJMFC).
In responding to the potential for an early reopening of porgy, NJMFC had previously taken a vote to approve notice of the reopening, at first opportunity to do. That however is dependent on the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and their advisors approving a new set of regulations to meet the 10% reduction of porgy for 2024-2025. Brust said he hopes to see New Jersey’s porgy proposal approved by ASFMC advisors later this month.
“Once we know ASMFC has approved our plan we will submit that notice to the commissioner,” Brust said, explaining how the Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Shawn LaTourette, would need to sign off on that change before the scup fishery could reopen in New Jersey. “We’re looking roughly at the end of February, beginning of March,” Brust said.
New Jersey’s proposals for meeting the 28% reduction in summer flounder harvest for the 2024 season were also sent back to MAFMC/ASMFC for review back in January, and according to Brust the deliberative bodies will meet again in February where they will determine if New Jersey’s proposals for fluke season, size and bag also meet the required reduction. Ultimately, NJMFC will make a final decision on new fluke limits at its March 7th meeting at the Stafford Township Administration Building at 260 E. Bay Avenue in Manahawkin at 5 p.m.
Among the various summer flounder options that could be put to the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council for a vote on March 7 are three at 17-1/2 inches for roughly 104 days of season or three at 18 inches for roughly 145 days, along with options to continue the slot fish regulation.
To see the final list of summer flounder options as they become available prior to the March 7 meeting, check out The Fisherman’s weekly video fishing forecast for the New Jersey, Delaware Bay edition posted to TheFisherman.com every Thursday at noon.
