Fluke Regs Question.....

[Duffman]

Was just reading 2021 will be pretty much be the same as last year with some change in open/close dates.

Couple of questions, which may sound stupid but I honestly don’t know the answers....

Why the 17” size limit in Delaware Bay and not in the northern bays in Sandy Hook and Raritan Bays? Or any of the back bays for that matter?

Why the 16” limit on IBSP and not on any other state run park? Why was IBSP singled out?

[damnyankee]

PROGRAM HISTORY

In 2014, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Summer Flounder, Scup & Black Sea Bass Management Board mandated New Jersey to manage its recreational summer flounder fishery in a region with New York and Connecticut. All partners in a region are required to have the same size limit, possession limit and number of days open.

Connecticut had a Shore Based Enhanced fishing Opportunity Program already in place that provided shore based anglers at specific shore only sites a chance to keep summer flounder smaller than the size limit. Being in a region with Connecticut, New Jersey and New York were offered the opportunity to have a similar program.

Island Beach State Park provided a unique location for such a program, since there is only one road to access the park, which made enforcement feasible. It also enabled the Division to gather data from fishermen leaving the park with fish. The ASMFC declined NJ's efforts to expand the program to other sites due to concerns about enforcement.

https://www.njfishandwildlife.com/flounder-ibsp.htm

[Duffman]

Thanks for clarification. Makes sense on the IBSP limit.

Any clue on the Delaware bay limit difference?

[PortlyRedhead]

Thanks for clarification. Makes sense on the IBSP limit.

Any clue on the Delaware bay limit difference?

To make NJ’s Delaware Bay flounder regulations competitive with Delaware’s 4 fish limit with a 16.5” minimum

[Duffman]

Competitive in what way? Smaller size limits in Delaware will have NJ fishermen traveling there to fish, instead of Jersey? So match there limit and keep fishermen spending money here in our state?

[Adrenalinerush]

Doesnt gateway national recreation area (sandyhook) only have one road in and out?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Doesnt gateway national recreation area (sandyhook) only have one road in and out?

Well yes it does... Maybe because it's a federal and not a state park??