January 4, 2014 — The Atlantic coast states of Massachusetts through Virginia have scheduled their hearings to gather public comment on Draft Addendum XXV to the Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Fishery Management Plans.
Summer flounder, or fluke as the species is more commonly known, and black sea bass are both very popular with local anglers. And, like many other recreational species, catch limits and sizes vary from state to state.
Draft Addendum XXV proposes management approaches for the 2014 summer flounder and black sea bass recreational fisheries.
For summer flounder, the Draft Addendum includes options that allow for management measures by region and the sharing of unused quota — both with the intent of providing more equity in recreational harvest opportunities along the coast.
The specific regions being considered are (1) Massachusetts; Rhode Island through New Jersey; Delaware through Virginia; and North Carolina and (2) Massachusetts and Rhode Island; Connecticut through New Jersey; Delaware through Virginia; and North Carolina.
The Draft Addendum was initiated to address a growing concern that current summer flounder management measures (as established under the Fishery Management Plan) are not providing recreational fishermen along the coast with equitable harvest opportunities to the resource.
Read the full story at the Stamford Advocate