NOAA Rules in NJ's Favor Regarding Fluke

[Angler Paul]

NOAA Rules In NJ's Favor Regarding Fluke
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Lawrence Hajna (609) 984-1795
July 11, 2017 Bob Considine (609) 292-2994
www.nj.gov/dep Caryn Shinske (609) 984-1795
NOAA AFFIRMS NEW JERSEY’S CURRENT-SEASON SUMMER FLOUNDER LENGTH AND BAG LIMITS
DIVISION OF FISH AND WILDLIFE LAUNCHES OUTREACH CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE ANGLERS ON KEEPING FISHERY SUSTAINABLE
(17/P73) TRENTON – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has affirmed New Jersey’s summer-flounder fishing size, bag limits and season, meaning all rules adopted by the state earlier this year will remain in effect through early September, Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin announced today.
The decision, approved by U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, finds New Jersey in compliance for management of summer flounder. It follows weeks of information-sharing between the DEP and NOAA about the expected impacts on New Jersey’s summer flounder fishery imposed by a regional fisheries commission earlier this year.
“We are very pleased that NOAA worked with us to understand our position that sound science and good long-term planning must drive decisions about the management of summer flounder, one of the state’s most important recreational and commercial fish species,” Commissioner Martin said. “New Jersey is fully committed to employing science and public education to conserve a species that is critical to the fishing culture and economy of the state.”
“I would like to thank Secretary Ross and Assistant Administrator of NOAA Fisheries Chris Oliver and for working with the State of New Jersey to preserve and manage our fisheries through responsible management processes, while recognizing the economic impacts of this industry to the state,” said DEP Deputy Commissioner David Glass.
The decision means that the recreational summer flounder season, that began May 25 and runs through Sept. 5, remains unchanged. The minimum size remains 18 inches for summer flounder for most coastal waters, including the ocean, estuaries and creeks. Anglers in these areas may keep three legally sized fish per day. The size limit for Delaware Bay is 17 inches, with a three-fish per day limit. At Island Beach State Park the size limit for shore fishing is 16 inches, with a daily two-fish limit.
Toward the DEP’s goal of ensuring a sustainable summer flounder fishery, the DEP’s Division of Fish and Wildlife launched a campaign to educate the fishing public on how to reduce discard mortality by safely releasing summer flounder that do not meet minimum size requirements.
“We are asking all anglers to help protect this important species for future generations,” Commissioner Martin said.
Recreational and commercial fishing generates $2.5 billion in economic activity in the state each year. Also known as fluke, summer flounder is popular because of its delicate flavor and abundance along beaches and in bays and other coastal waters.
The “If You Can’t Keep It, Save It!” campaign focuses on the proper handling methods and gear to use to reduce unintentional mortalities that can occur when flounder that do not meet minimum length requirements are returned to the water.
The campaign builds upon the FishSmart campaign promoted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. New Jersey’s effort features distribution of print and electronic brochures to anglers registered through the state’s Saltwater Registry, charter and party boat operations, bait-and-tackle shops and members of fishing organizations, as well as radio public-service announcements and newspaper advertisements. The Division of Fish and Wildlife is also doing outreach through its website, email lists and social media.
To make the “If You Can’t Keep It, Save It!” campaign even more successful, the Division of Fish and Wildlife, in coordination with the American Sportfishing Association and Eagle Claw
Fishing, will distribute 20,000 free larger-sized hooks that help anglers land bigger fish and reduce the potential for discards.
These hooks will be available soon at bait-and-tackle shops. The Save the Flounder Fishery Fund provided valuable support to this effort. A list of participating shops will be made available on the DEP’s website and the Division of Fish and Wildlife Facebook page.
The Division of Fish and Wildlife encourages anglers to follow these techniques:
• Plan ahead – Expect to release fish and have the necessary equipment to do so, including de-hookers and proper nets; more experienced anglers may also consider using a recompression tool, a device that allows fish to be returned to the water at a safer depth.
• Use appropriate gear – Use gear suited to the size of the fish that you are trying to catch; 5/0 to 7/0 size hooks are recommended to successfully land bigger fish and reduce discards.
• Handle fish carefully – Use knotless, rubberized landing nets and rubberized gloves to avoid removing the protective slime layer on fish and help ensure survival when it is placed back in the water.
“By following these guidelines, anglers will be giving fish a better chance of survival,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director Larry Herrighty. “This campaign reminds all generations of anglers that proper handling and quick return to the water will help ensure an ample supply of keepers for generations to come.”
In February, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), a regional board comprised of representatives from Maine to Florida, approved a 19-inch size limit for New Jersey. However, Division of Fish and Wildlife data show that few fish in New Jersey reach that size due to the species’ biological needs and distribution patterns. Moreover, the overwhelming majority of fish that would meet that “keeper” size limit would be reproductive females.
New Jersey appealed the ASMFC decision to NOAA, expressing concerns that the larger size limit would result in a significant increase in discard mortalities and would make the population less sustainable by forcing anglers to keep reproductive females.
For more on flounder regulations, best fishing practices, a list of shops distributing free hooks (when available) and other information, click the logo or visit: www.SaveFluke.nj.gov
or follow us on Facebook at NJFISHANDWILDLIFE
Don't forget to sign up for the JCAA Fluke Tournament and a chance to win $50,000 cash. Visit www.jcaa.org for details

[Capt Joe]

Gee, guess while I am waiting for my larger size Eagle Claw hooks I will also be waiting for the $3500 daily stipend check from the NJDEP to make up for the 21 lost days in September? Ya think? Or is that coming from ASMFC? Or is it NMFS? No matter, I will be waiting patiently. But I guess we will have plenty of time in September sitting on our asses at the dock to catch up on those pesky VTR'S.

[hartattack]

Lipstick on a Pig, but thanks Bob Martin for not just caring, but acting. Acting boldly !

[duranautic al]

kinda sounds like were now THANKING the feds for our 3 fish/18 inch shortened season??... for what??...for not taking even MORE away??!!

[TerriMc223]

Good news. I also appreciate the " If you can't keep it-save it " campaign.
Thanks for the report Paul.

[bunker dunker]

please sir may i have another

[Grateful Dad]

It could have been worse. Short season sucks, but at least we don't have 19".

[Charlie B]

A small step in the right direction. But at least it is a start. I would rather take a small victory than any loss...Charlie

[makosnax]

This is hardly a win, this is settling for the scraps that fell off the table during our corrupt legislative process.

[Gerry Zagorski]

So one of the arguments we made as recreationals when we were fighting for status quo was we should not be forced to keep 19 inch Fluke which are all females. Now we have 18 inch regulations and a shorter season so there was some horse trading since you can't have it both ways...

In any event, the fact that the Sec of Commerce sided with the NJDEP vs what NFMS wanted is a victory in itself, albeit with regulations that still suck.

Lots of changes happening in the Fisheries Management Ranks as you saw here and is evidenced by all the new appointments that have been made recently. Further, the SSFFF size sex study is going to be reviewed and factored in for the 2018 Fluke Stock assessment so progress there too.

There are battles and there are wars. Fact is these are some major strategic wins. We can continue to argue and be divided on the short term tactical battles when regulations are set and we fight over the scraps they throw us every Spring. We do however need to keep our eye on the bigger prize by winning the war and that's by staying united to fight the bigger strategic and long term issues. That's when real change can occur but it does not happen over night.