[Rayman1]

AnglerPaul told me to post this for you guys....


To All,

Below are the summer flounder measures approved by the ASMFC Board for 2012. What they approve is the methodology that come up with these options and more options can be run using this methodology and all these options might not be forward at the advisors for the meeting next week. I have attached the ASMFC file where this is information is located. It also contains other states proposals that were approved for your FYI. This is what will be discussed at next weeks NJMFC Advisors meeting. You can send this out to the club representatives for there input before the meeting but they will have a chance to vote on the options at the next JCAA General meeting since that will happen before the next council meeting. Remember not all these options might be put forward and there could be other options presented.

Whoever goes to the meeting should write up an article for the next JCAA Newspaper. I do not go to these meeting since I see my job as the GA to the ASMFC is to bring back these option for the NJMFC to make a decision.

There were no tables presented for black sea bass since we were not sure what percentage we would be using. The ASMFC Technical Committee will be approving our options in the next couple of weeks before the NJMFC but I will imagine that the Division will have a table reflecting a 57% increase for next weeks advisor meeting. I hope this is helpful.

Tom

New Jersey
2011 Harvest Target: 1,335,000 fish
2011 Landings: 787,234 fish
2012 Harvest Target: 1,090,407 fish
Alteration for 2012: 38% liberalization
2011 Regulations:
Minimum Size: 18�
Possession Limit: 8 fish
Open Season: May 7-September 25
Proposed 2012 Measures:
Option Min Size Bag Limit Open Season Liberalization
1 18� 8 May 7 - September 25 0%
2 18� 8 April 28 - October 14 32%
3 18� 8 April 7 - September 23 32%
4 18� 8 May 5 - October 21 32%
5 17.5� 5 May 5 - September 23 29%
6 17.5� 5 April 29 - September 23 38%
7 17.5� 5 May 5 - September 29 38%

* Liberalization results based on catch per trip from NJ VAS and average coastwide weight per fish of 3.14 pounds
MRIP vs MRFSS Summary:
For 7 out of 8 years, the NJ MRIP landings estimate was less than the NJ MRFSS landings
estimate. From 2004 to 2011 the MRIP annual landings estimate was 10% lower than
MRFSS on average. The 2011 MRIP landings estimate would allow a 50% liberalization vs
a 38% liberalization under MRFSS.
Technical Committee Recommendations: MRFSS and MRIP: Approve
The options for 2012 as proposed are technically valid under MRFSS