On January 5, 2017 at 6:30 p.m., New Jersey anglers and recreational fishing industry reps will get their first chance to respond to the newly approved options for the 2017 summer flounder season.
The Summer Flounder Draft Addendum XXVII voted on by the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council (Council) and Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (Commission) on December 14, 2016 features a series of potential options for the upcoming fluke season, ranging from two fluke at 19 inches to three at 18 inches, with allowable days ranging from upwards of 107 days down to a paltry 81 days.
The official New Jersey hearing on the summer flounder amendment will take place immediately following the regularly scheduled meeting of the New jersey Marine Fisheries Council which takes place at 4 p.m. at the Galloway Township Branch of the Atlantic County Library at 306 East Jimmie Leeds Road in Galloway, NJ.
“I have asked for another hearing up north but this is the only one right now,” said Tom Fote of the Jersey Coast Anglers Association and Governor Christie’s appointed representative at the ASMFC.
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While some see only an act of Congress or the President himself to get NOAA Fisheries and the Commerce Department to lighten up on the proposed regulations, the Christie administration in New Jersey for one is not happy with the federal decision.
“I am greatly disappointed with the actions taken yesterday by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council, which will make it nearly impossible for recreational anglers to keep any summer flounder they catch,” Bob Martin said on December 15. As Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Martin said the actions set forth at the meetings in Baltimore, MD on December 14 will essentially result in a moratorium on one of the most important recreational fish species in the Garden State.
“These current and prior actions taken by the Commission and Council will cripple recreational and commercial fishing in New Jersey and will be felt sharply throughout our shore economy,” Martin said, adding “I strongly urge the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to overturn these actions and keep current regulations in effect, so that all partners can work toward a stable management approach that provides long-term conservation of summer flounder without continually placing New Jersey at a disadvantage to other states.”
For more information contact NJDEP’s Tom Baum at 609-748-2020.