ASMFC's Technical Committee rejects NJ's 2017 Fluke Proposal

[hartattack]

http://www.asmfc.org/files/Meetings/SFLScBSB_BoardConfCallSuppMaterials_May22_2017.pdf

From above link ^^^ " In summary, the TC noted that in the standard comparison of harvest, the NJ proposal was not conservationally equivalent to the Addendum XXVIII measures. It is important to understand that this standard is a component of the Summer Flounder FMP as the recreational fishery performance is evaluated against the RHL. When examining the new and separate comparison of total recreational fishing removals (harvest and
discard mortality in total), there was too much uncertainty to determine equivalency between the NJ proposal and the Addendum XXVIII measures due to unquantifiable reductions in discard mortality in the proposal and the unaccounted for discards during the closed seasons. Therefore, this work on total recreational fishing removals needs additional refinement before a determination can be made. "

Webinar today at 12:30 to discuss: http://www.asmfc.org/uploads/file/591cbab3pr23SFlounderScupBSBBoardConfCall_NJpropos al.pdf

What a fine mess we are in. However there is some optimism as Angler Paul pointed out on Friday:
" The NJMFC sets the regulations and they become law as soon as the DEP Commission signs them. He has now done so and it is the law. The season will open on 5/25. It will not matter if the ASMFC rules against us on Monday because NMFS has assured our State that they will not shut down our fishery. As far as federal water go, you must abide by the regulations of the State whose waters you are in when heading back to port. Paul Haertel JCAA board member/Past President "

Stay tuned for another chapter in this socio-economic soap opera :rolleyes:

[stevelikes2fish]

So, reading through all the attachments, is it 3 @ 19, 3 @ 18 or 5 @ 18.

[bigal427]

What a zoo . Just keep everything you catch

[Joey Dah Fish]

I'm really not sure any of this is accurate. If an agreement has been made then it needs to be a public statement by all parties. Other than that is pure speculation and hearsay . Just saying they will not enforce the federal law or shut down our fishery to some group doesn't make that reality. In addition what happens to those head boats and charters that have federal permits? Once again what we need is full communication by the state and the fed with what exactly our situation is. Until that happens no one really knows anything for sure.

[Angler Paul]

NJ DEP Commission Martin signed into law the 3 fluke at 18" with a season from 5/25 -9/5. That applies to both state and federal water. Though the ASMFC fluke board found us out of compliance we expected this but a deal had been struck with the NMFS and we are not going to be shut down. Had we stayed with status quo (2016 regulations) in all likelihood we would have been shut down. If anything changes I will let you know. Paul Haertel JCAA Board Member/Past President

[Joey Dah Fish]

NJ DEP Commission Martin signed into law the 3 fluke at 18" with a season from 5/25 -9/5. That applies to both state and federal water. Though the ASMFC fluke board found us out of compliance we expected this but a deal had been struck with the NMFS and we are not going to be shut down. Had we stayed with status quo (2016 regulations) in all likelihood we would have been shut down. If anything changes I will let you know. Paul Haertel JCAA Board Member/Past President

Where are the records of this so called deal ? Why are they not public? Unless there is public documentation and or public announcement nothing is absolute. They could change their minds Thursday morning and shut us down. I'm also interested in who struck the deal on behalf of the citizens in our state. At no time was this so called compromise mention to the vast majority of fisherman in this state. Once again the few good old boys not representing the fisherman but their own ideas. There's going to be hell to pay on this one boys and girls so hold on tight

[bunker dunker]

rabbit season....duck season

[CaptMarc]

I have a question. How do they figure the mortality rate of throwbacks?.???

[hammer4reel]

I have a question. How do they figure the mortality rate of throwbacks?.???

One minute they use 20% the next time they say they only figure 10 %

so who knows how they come up with that number.
that being said the compromise bag limit is only a few percent off their numbers for 3/19.
if any throwback mortality was added to what going ot 19" would cause the size limit of 18" should lessen mortality not increase it.

just shows 1+ 1 to them = 13.

they must be english majors, as their math doesnt add up

[Canyonfish]

One minute they use 20% the next time they say they only figure 10 %

so who knows how they come up with that number.
that being said the compromise bag limit is only a few percent off their numbers for 3/19.
if any throwback mortality was added to what going ot 19" would cause the size limit of 18" should lessen mortality not increase it.

just shows 1+ 1 to them = 13.

they must be english majors, as their math doesnt add up

2017 may have 0% mortality if we all just keep everything ;)

[Ttmako]

Just keep the first 3 fish you catch