buckethead
12-01-2008, 02:05 PM
Fluke anglers bracing for another rules hit
by Al Ristori For The Star-Ledger Thursday November 27, 2008, 9:14 PM
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has proposed a coastwide summer flounder regulation of a 20-inch minimum length with a two-fish possession limit, and a season from May 1 to Sept. 30. The National Marine Fisheries Service has expressed a preference for going back to coastwide regulations, though they would be particularly difficult for the southern states that have smaller fluke. New Jersey surely will be fighting to retain conservation equivalency that allocates quotas to the states and allows them to develop regulations that should keep the recreational catch within that limit.
Despite high minimum sizes and short seasons during a year of economic downturn and record high fuel prices, the MRFSS Survey indicated that only Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina didn't exceed their quotas this year. New Jersey was only 7 percent over, and won't have to take as severe a hit as if the coastwide measure were to be adopted. On the other hand, New York was over by 39 percent even with their 20 1/2-inch minimum, and will need a 42 percent reduction for 2009 that actually makes the coastwide proposal attractive to them. Much more will be known about the 2009 fluke season after the Council meeting in Montauk next month.
Striped bass, bluefish and blackfish top the weekend angling menu. With ocean water temperatures below the 40-degree mark, stripers are now well established all along the Shore. Yet, bluefish are refusing to leave the abundant bait -- often making it difficult to get through them to the bass.
by Al Ristori For The Star-Ledger Thursday November 27, 2008, 9:14 PM
The Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council has proposed a coastwide summer flounder regulation of a 20-inch minimum length with a two-fish possession limit, and a season from May 1 to Sept. 30. The National Marine Fisheries Service has expressed a preference for going back to coastwide regulations, though they would be particularly difficult for the southern states that have smaller fluke. New Jersey surely will be fighting to retain conservation equivalency that allocates quotas to the states and allows them to develop regulations that should keep the recreational catch within that limit.
Despite high minimum sizes and short seasons during a year of economic downturn and record high fuel prices, the MRFSS Survey indicated that only Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina didn't exceed their quotas this year. New Jersey was only 7 percent over, and won't have to take as severe a hit as if the coastwide measure were to be adopted. On the other hand, New York was over by 39 percent even with their 20 1/2-inch minimum, and will need a 42 percent reduction for 2009 that actually makes the coastwide proposal attractive to them. Much more will be known about the 2009 fluke season after the Council meeting in Montauk next month.
Striped bass, bluefish and blackfish top the weekend angling menu. With ocean water temperatures below the 40-degree mark, stripers are now well established all along the Shore. Yet, bluefish are refusing to leave the abundant bait -- often making it difficult to get through them to the bass.