[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!