Massachusetts Increase to Commercial Summer Flounder Limits

[AndyS]

Increase to Commercial Summer Flounder Limits Effective October 1

Effective Wednesday, October 1, the commercial summer flounder possession limit for all gear types will increase to 5,000 pounds. This increase occurs automatically upon the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) determining that at least 10% of the state’s commercial summer flounder quota will remain available on October 1. Current quota monitoring information, which includes commercial landings reported through September 20, indicates that roughly 27% of the state’s 2025 quota remains available. Based on daily landings rates, DMF can safely project today that more than 10% of the quota will remain available on October 1, triggering the trip limit increase to 5,000 pounds.

As a reminder and consistent with the Letters of Authorization, the Consecutive Daily Trip Limit program ends September 30, 2025.

Unless otherwise notified, these limits are expected to remain in effect until 100% of the annual summer flounder quota is taken or through December 31, 2025 if the quota is not taken.

[Broad Bill]

Originally Posted by AndyS

Increase to Commercial Summer Flounder Limits Effective October 1

Effective Wednesday, October 1, the commercial summer flounder possession limit for all gear types will increase to 5,000 pounds. This increase occurs automatically upon the Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) determining that at least 10% of the state’s commercial summer flounder quota will remain available on October 1. Current quota monitoring information, which includes commercial landings reported through September 20, indicates that roughly 27% of the state’s 2025 quota remains available. Based on daily landings rates, DMF can safely project today that more than 10% of the quota will remain available on October 1, triggering the trip limit increase to 5,000 pounds.

As a reminder and consistent with the Letters of Authorization, the Consecutive Daily Trip Limit program ends September 30, 2025.

Unless otherwise notified, these limits are expected to remain in effect until 100% of the annual summer flounder quota is taken or through December 31, 2025 if the quota is not taken.

Why, fish are congregated in tight schools and closest to inshore waters making them easy pickings. More lbs. per trip, shorter trips, less fuel consumed equates to higher profits for the commercials. Bad news for the stock, all mature females taken are loaded with eggs as well as the largest males being harvested. Shorts released by the recreational sector during the season will be killed in substantial numbers and no one at the North East Fisheries Science Center has ever conducted research on what impact commercial netting has on the efficacy of the overall spawn due to netting and stress placed on the stock.

Another hit to the stock and the recreational sector. And I'm sure as already mentioned multiple times, the NC fleet is already up here doing their damage to the stock as well.

[NoLimit]

This is criminal....fluke fishing has never been worse and this will make it worse.

[1captainron]

It's laughable, and you want us to play by the rules.

I call Bullshit, we can only hope Gov. Citarelli has our back when we go out of compliance, it's the only way left. The loosing of 5 days when the fluke closed was the last straw for me.

[dales529]

Originally Posted by 1captainron

It's laughable, and you want us to play by the rules.

I call Bullshit, we can only hope Gov. Citarelli has our back when we go out of compliance, it's the only way left. The loosing of 5 days when the fluke closed was the last straw for me.

Capt Ron
Understand completely just not sure how whoever the Gov ends up being that they have any power on the Fed side when /if NJ goes out of compliance. Last time this was tried the fed said they would revoke PB and Charter Fed permits only allowing you to fish in the EEZ 1-3 miles in state waters and thats when then Gov Christie and the DEP caved to a deal. Are you willing if that happens to fish only where they say you can?

[NoLimit]

The guy running for Governor said that for the Feds, he is going to try something new. He said he was going to meet every week with the NJ senators and congressmen in DC...and he is going to do what they do in other states. They act together to do what is best for NJ.

NJ is at the bottom of the list when it comes to getting back the tax money we pay to Washington. Our money winds up going to other states because the squeaky wheel gets the oil - the other states squeak more.

[dales529]

Originally Posted by NoLimit

The guy running for Governor said that for the Feds, he is going to try something new. He said he was going to meet every week with the NJ senators and congressmen in DC...and he is going to do what they do in other states. They act together to do what is best for NJ.

NJ is at the bottom of the list when it comes to getting back the tax money we pay to Washington. Our money winds up going to other states because the squeaky wheel gets the oil - the other states squeak more.

Yes I listened to him.
1) The feds are shutdown so I imagine come November there are going to be "other" priorities than meeting with him every week.

2)What he didn't say is that he understood what "going out of compliance" means ( granted he wasn't asked) and that he would have to have direct talks with Howard Lutnick Sec of Commerce rather than NJ Senators and / or congressmen in DC. We have heard that song before about "talking" with the feds on behalf on NJ but that doesn't come close to talking with ASMFC and Sec of Commerce on "out of compliance" .
But I will give him a chance to honor his try IF he wins.

2) The fed already took away infrastructure money from NJ and NY so yet another priority to work on before we get a bone.

3) What other states get NJ money? While NJ doesn't get dollar to dollar tax fishing money back not sure what you mean by other states getting ours?

[NoLimit]

They made a list of each state and ranked them according to how much they get from Washington. Some states get more than they pay and the rest gets less.

NJ gets a lot less - its dead last. I have to believe that the Governor can convince the people who represent us in Washington to do more. Maybe they are too focused on national issues and not on our issues.

https://www.nj.com/coronavirus/2022/...-made-out.html