New Fluke Regulation Update 2-2-17

[Angler Paul]

The way it works is that the feds to not have the authority to set our specific regs right now. The NJMFC must do that. If they fail to act, the law remains the same as it was the previous year. However, if eventually the Secreary of Commerce finds that we are out of compliance and rules against us, the default measures would the become law, 2 fluke at 20" with a season from 7/31 -8/31.
If that happens though, I am confident that the NJMFC would have an emergency meeting and quickly set the regs so that we would be back in compliance. (Probably the 3 fish at 19" and a 128 day season)

[tautog]

If the Gulf states can have their own individual red snapper regulations for state waters, why can't we do the same with fluke?

[hartattack]

Just learned that Massachusetts will be joining NJ, going out-of-compliance for 2017 Fluke. Option 5 reduced the MA creel limit from 5 to 4 and increased the minimum size by one inch - measures they will not accept. I was hoping that NY would join the tea-party but since NY introduced Option 5 they are committed to it.

If the in-coming Commerce Secretary actually punishes NJ/MA with non-compliance measures, I and many others will be canceling their summer Cape Cod fluking trips. The thick plottens

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by tautog

If the Gulf states can have their own individual red snapper regulations for state waters, why can't we do the same with fluke?

Very true! LA has a nine mile limit to the EEZ Nj is three. In Louisiana we retain red snapper in state waters. As far as our politicians backing us now at the eleventh hour? Where was Christie from the begining.Menendez is now involved for some strange reason????? Maybe Shumer shamed all of them. I don't care for him but will take help from any politician that i can.We thought it would never happen??? Well it is here and we have been fighting for years and donating money. We need President Trump bad!

[Angler Paul]

Originally Posted by tautog

If the Gulf states can have their own individual red snapper regulations for state waters, why can't we do the same with fluke?

We did until a couple years ago when we were forced into a region with New York and Massachusetts. In reality this was a reallocation of quota and it resulted in New York's regulations being relaxed while New Jersey's were made more stringent. This was largely due to political pressure from N.Y. Senator Schumer who went so far as to introduce his "Fluke Fairness Act". Now NJ is finally fighting back.

[Capt Sal]

Originally Posted by Angler Paul

We did until a couple years ago when we were forced into a region with New York and Massachusetts. In reality this was a reallocation of quota and it resulted in New York's regulations being relaxed while New Jersey's were made more stringent. This was largely due to political pressure from N.Y. Senator Schumer who went so far as to introduce his "Fluke Fairness Act". Now NJ is finally fighting back.

Been saying this from the march on Washington days. Where are our''elected'' politicians in this fight? Not fishing for one year will not kill a private sport fisherman but it will put party and charter boats out of business for sure.

We should be just as strongly opposed to the current Seabass travesty.

[Slip It In]

Originally Posted by Rightaway III

We should be just as strongly opposed to the current Seabass travesty.

100% agree. I also heard rumors of lowering porgy to 15. All these cuts are so ridiculous, guess it will be fillet and release all year. Stocking up on gallon zip locks at Sams club soon so. Its our ocean not the governments!

[Ttmako]

They wanted a 15% cut in porgies despite the biomass being 210% of what it needs to be. The reason stated "because 50 is just too much".

[tautog]

They had porgies all the way in the back of the Long Island Sound by City Island by the second week in May that stayed there until the first week in November, but the 50 fish limit is too many? Population is expanding greatly under current regs with lots of 9"-11 1/2" fish everywhere last year that will be 10 1/2"- 13" fish this year. No need to mess with the regulations.