Summer flounder season is underway in New Jersey and the state's 18-inch minimum length requirement for the fish is remaining in place
TRENTON -- Summer flounder season is underway in New Jersey and the state's 18-inch minimum length requirement for the fish is remaining in place amid a catch-size dispute with an interstate fishing commission.
The season begins on Thursday and runs through Sept. 5. Recreational anglers can keep up to three summer flounder - also known as fluke - a day.
Fluke is the state's most popular recreational saltwater species, according to the state Division of Fish and Wildlife. Thousands of anglers are drawn to the state's abundant fluke each year.
The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, an interstate group that manages fisheries from Maine to Florida, called for an increase to the summer flounder catch size to 19 inches this year, citing over-fishing concerns.
New Jersey fishermen argued the increased size was unnecessary and would put financial pressure on the state's valuable fishing tourism industry.
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The ASMFC on Monday rejected New Jersey's counter-proposal for an 18-inch catch size, but with a reduced limit to three fish per day.
But the state opted to press ahead with those limits when the season opened Thursday, and risks being deemed out of compliance with the ASMFC.
State officials said any possible federal non-compliance decisions would need to be approved by ASFMC's Policy Board and the full Commission. That finding would then be considered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Marine Fisheries Service.
"We are going forward with the regulations because we strongly believe that we have passed regulations that meet the conservation equivalency of the Commission's proposed quota limits," state Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Bob Martin said in a release. "We have a good relationship with NOAA fisheries and will continue to work with them on any issues relating to the summer flounder stock and recreational harvest limit."
ASMFC's proposed quota limit would kill more fish through "dead discard" than through the actual harvesting of fluke, Martin said.
He said the state will meet its conservation equivalency and reduce harvest by limiting the season to 104 days - down from 128 days - and lowering bag limits.
"In addition, New Jersey will also see a significant reduction in the mortality rate of fish that are caught and discarded," Martin said.
The minimum fluke length is 17 inches for the Delaware Bay.
For anglers participating in the Shore-Based Enhanced Fishing Opportunity Program at Island Beach State Park in Ocean County the minimum length is 16 inches and they can keep up to two fish a day.
Anglers in federal waters must also abide by state laws.
Recreational and commercial fishing are responsible for 65,000 jobs and contribute $2.5 billion to the state economy, state officials said.