10/8/2019 Summer Flounder 2020 Specifications

[Ry609]

I wasn't able to make it to the webinar last night, any updates?? Looked like our comments at least made it to the table

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/511cdc7fe4b00307a2628ac6/t/5d979319bd25be20ef2dcf58/1570214700863/2019-10_Supplemental-Materials.pdf

[dakota560]

Ryan I'll give my opinion and I'd appreciate it if Dave expanded on his thoughts since he's been involved in this longer and has better historical perspective than me. Overall I thought it went well. Public was not able to chat back and forth like last year and could not make comments on the webinar which was disappointing. You had to be at the meeting in Durham to comment and then comments from the public were limited.

Everyone's emails definitely did not land on deaf ears which I take as extremely positive. During Kiley's update yesterday, which she only had an hour for her presentation, she made a point of mentioning there were about 25 comments largely from New Jersey and a few of those comments were included in her presentation so again thanks to everyone who took the time. YOUR OPINIONS MATTER ONLY IF THEY'RE KNOWN AND HEARD! I'm proud and appreciative of the people who submitted emails and opinions!
There was actually a slide which mentioned the words "SLOT LIMIT" which I'll let Dave expand upon.

My analysis was mentioned and summarized by Kiley, lot more that could have been but time didn't allow and I understand that. This is part of a much longer process and it's not going to stop here. No motions or final decisions were made regarding summer flounder so that's still lies ahead of us I believe in December of this year. Very good chance I'll be attending that meeting along with Dave.

In my opinion, the primary objective of many was to get this in front of the Commission and Council and we did. Now the work and follow up begins to keep pushing in addressing the problems causing poor recruitment and a shrinking biomass and spawning stock. A slot to recreational would definitely be a step in the right direction but only a piece of what has to happen to reverse the fortunes of this fishery. I believe it represents a bigger step in changing the mind set of how the fishery is being managed.

So in summary, no earth shattering news to share but I believe there are some positive takeaways to build on.

Dave look forward to your opinion or the opinion of anyone else who listened in.

[dales529]

The Summer Flounder portion from approx 4:15 to 5:15 was quick discussion by the councils with "no action required" so just some presentations and a few comments.

Tom dakota materials were summarized in a brief slide in the presentation and it was noted that 20 public comments were submitted by NJ anglers.

Some key points presented in the slide show that were based on advisor panels, board advisors and public comments included some recognition that changes in management philosophy need further discussion. These include and I am quoting from the slide presentation:

- Fishery performance chart shows we have underfished our quota by an average of 11% from 2014 - 2018 with 2014 +5% / 2015 -36%/ 2016+14%/ 2017 -15% and 2018 -24% . Thats good. NO overfishing is occurring

Summary from the councils: Management Issues:
" - Stock increased under lower size limits; decreased under higher limits. Should revert to measures used under rebuilding"
"- Frustration with difficulty finding keeper fluke and high rec discard rates"
" Suggestions; lower minimum size limits, slot limits, cumulative length limit with mandatory retention

"New MRIP estimates are "ludicrous" (e.g. ; shore mode now estimated to catch twice as much as party / charter mode)"

That's a good thing that they recognize it and call it "ludicrous" (my opinion)

Monitoring Committee Comments 2020 Recreational Measures
" Staff requested feedback on possibility of exploring new approaches to recreational measures
- E.G. ; slot limits, more truly regional measures, other substantial departures from current measures
" MC is supportive of exploring new ideas with some reservations about technical and practical elements of implementation"
The above is a good thing, at least discussions are starting (in my opinion)

- Past analyses have shown slot limits would need to be very narrow with restricted season / bag to constrain RHL
This mind set needs to change (in my opinion)

All in all at least some major concerns were brought up . We will have to see where it goes from here but no time to let off the gas pedal!

[dakota560]

Dave thanks and as noted, their are other significant issues which need to be addressed which will ultimately rebuild the significantly impaired gender composition of a declining spawning stock with the end goal of rebuilding recruitment back to historical levels in mind. Current regulations will never allow that to happen.

[dales529]

Dave thanks and as noted, their are other significant issues which need to be addressed which will ultimately rebuild the significantly impaired gender composition of a declining spawning stock with the end goal of rebuilding recruitment back to historical levels in mind. Current regulations will never allow that to happen.

Tom
Agreed and again we have gotten further in the last year with your analysis than in the past. As Gerry says its a marathon (unfortunately) not a sprint.
Wish we had 1000 written comments but it is what it is,

[tuna john]

im glad to see my comments made it. Its a start

[shrimpman steve]

Even tho it no longer affects me in Florida kudos to Dave and Tom for their tenacious work!!

[Ry609]

Thanks guys for your tireless effort and commitment to the cause! Sounds like there's at least a foot in the door and with the way it's gone in the past, it sounds like some progress was made. Going to keep monitoring and see when and what else I can contribute.

[dakota560]

im glad to see my comments made it. Its a start
John / Steve,

It can only make a difference for the better so thanks for you thoughts and time. Government moves at its own pace, this fight will be decided using their data and being persistent pointing out the irregularities policy decisions made based on that data have caused resulting in a decline in the fishery. There's a lot more work to be done so we need to be patient but persistent and diligent.

Steve if Marine fisheries fundamentally changes how they view or interpret data, it could impact Florida and any other state. This is as much about the management process in general and how policy decisions are made and subsequently evaluated as it is specifically about summer flounder.