2009 fluke slot limit

[bababooey]

I don't know whether to be happy or sad. It looks like we're screwed no matter what they do, read toward the end where it says more restrictive.


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, AUGUST 20, 2008PRESS CONTACT, TINA BERGER 202/289-6400

Summer Flounder Board Approves Initiation of Addendum

Addendum to Explore Use of Maximum Size Limits as a Potential Management Tool to Develop Slot Limits & Trophy Fishery

Alexandria, VA – The Commission's Summer Flounder, Scup, and Black Sea Bass has approved initiation of an addendum to explore the addition of maximum size limits as a potential management tool for the summer flounder recreational fishery. Maximum size limits may provide managers with a wider range of recreational management tools (for example, slot limits or trophy fish) as the stock continues to rebuild.

The Board’s action is taken in response to a preliminary review by the Summer Flounder Technical Committee on the use of slot limits in the recreational fishery. Given that the effectiveness of state-specific slot limits could not be evaluated due to the limited length frequency data at the state level, the Technical Committee recommended that slot limits should only be considered on a coastwide basis. The Technical Committee also cautioned that seasons and size limits associated with slot limits are likely to be more restrictive than current regulations given the greater availability of fish that could fall within the slot limit.

The Board directed the Technical Committee to determine whether the available data could be used to develop regional slot limits. The first draft of the addendum will be developed for Board review at the Commission’s Annual Meeting this October in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.For more information, please contact Toni Kerns, Senior Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator for Management, at (202)289-6400 or tkerns@asmfc.org.

[captnemo]

Sounds to me like we'll be getting hosed.