2012 NJ Fluke Regs

[stevelikes2fish]

OK, I'm confused here. Somebody please help explain this to me. I see on the NJ Saltwater Fish Regs for 2012 under Summer Flounder(Fluke), May 5th to Sept. 28th, % fish @ 17.5". Ok, then I see a little note under the size limits: See note: Fed Regs. So I click on that link, scroll down to Summer Flounder and see EEZ Zone, 8 fish @ 18.5". Totally confused here, or is it me. I know what the EEz zone is but am I reading this correctly??????????????

[NoWorries]

Good question ! This is a new one on me. Not all fluking goes on in state waters but most are landed on the dock which is in state waters. So I'd say I better only have 5 in my cooler

[PocketFisherman]

or if you're in the EEZ - all your fish better be 18.5" or better.

How was this a good option for us?

[Gerry Zagorski]

Pretty sure that is telling you that you that while in the EEZ you can't catch or even possess more then 8 fish which must measure at least 18.5 inches.


So if you intend to fish inshore and stay inshore you can have 5 17.5 inch fish.

If you were to take those 17.5 fish into the EEZ, even though you did not catch them there, you would be in violation for having short fish.

Or lets say you start your trip in the EEZ and you keep 8 fish at 18.5 inches. Nice, you beat the system, right?

Wrong .....Unless you plan on staying in the EEZ forever your eventually going to have to travel back in to state waters and as soon as you enter state waters you'd be violation for keeping 3 more fish than allowed.

Bottom line is your never going to be able to have more then 5 fish per person here in NJ even if you did catch them in the EEZ.

Kind of confusing, right?

Now lets add NY into the mix that has yet another set of regulations.

Oh man, now my head hurts... Time for a cocktail

[GottaGo Joe]

This should clear the air on this, the last sentence is the one that would answer your question...





http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...2a18460618d;rg n=div5;view=text;node=50%3A10.0.1.1.6;idno=50;cc=e cfr#50:10.0.1.1.6.7.1.5





648.107 Conservation equivalent measures for the summer flounder party/charter and recreational fishery.

top (a) The Regional Administrator has determined that the recreational fishing measures proposed to be implemented by Massachusetts through North Carolina for 2011 are the conservation equivalent of the recreational fishing season, minimum fish size, and possession limit prescribed in §§648.104(b), 648.105, and 648.106(a), respectively. This determination is based on a recommendation from the Summer Flounder Board of the ASMFC.
(1) Federally permitted party and charter vessels subject to the recreational fishing measures of this part, and other recreational fishing vessels harvesting summer flounder in or from the EEZ and subject to the recreational fishing measures of this part, landing summer flounder in a state whose fishery management measures are determined by the Regional Administrator to be conservation equivalent shall not be subject to the more restrictive Federal measures, pursuant to the provisions of §648.4(b). Those vessels shall be subject to the recreational fishing measures implemented by the state in which they land.

[stevelikes2fish]

Last sentenance says it all. That clears it up. Thank You. Time for a cocktail.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Good find Joe. So no matter what the EEZ rules we can only keep 5 fish at 17.5 inches

[GottaGo Joe]

Yes sir, that's how I see it for us Jersey guys Gerry.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Thanks Joe. That certainly does simplify things.

I think I'm still going to have that cocktail any way

[Sharkyispy]

Originally Posted by GottaGo Joe

This should clear the air on this, the last sentence is the one that would answer your question...





http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text...2a18460618d;rg n=div5;view=text;node=50%3A10.0.1.1.6;idno=50;cc=e cfr#50:10.0.1.1.6.7.1.5





648.107 Conservation equivalent measures for the summer flounder party/charter and recreational fishery.

top (a) The Regional Administrator has determined that the recreational fishing measures proposed to be implemented by Massachusetts through North Carolina for 2011 are the conservation equivalent of the recreational fishing season, minimum fish size, and possession limit prescribed in §§648.104(b), 648.105, and 648.106(a), respectively. This determination is based on a recommendation from the Summer Flounder Board of the ASMFC.
(1) Federally permitted party and charter vessels subject to the recreational fishing measures of this part, and other recreational fishing vessels harvesting summer flounder in or from the EEZ and subject to the recreational fishing measures of this part, landing summer flounder in a state whose fishery management measures are determined by the Regional Administrator to be conservation equivalent shall not be subject to the more restrictive Federal measures, pursuant to the provisions of §648.4(b). Those vessels shall be subject to the recreational fishing measures implemented by the state in which they land.

Time to put a grill on the boats to cook up some fish sandwiches/dinners while in the EEZ and in between "landing at the state"