April 19, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 117

For more information contact Craig Shirey, 302-739-9914, or Rick Cole, 302-739-4782, Fisheries Section, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Summer flounder regulations on size,
daily limit amended to meet harvest cap 

The Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has amended the Tidal Finfish Regulations in order to remain in compliance with the federal guidelines for the management of summer flounder, as set forth by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Management Council.

The four options for the regulation were reviewed, analyzed and approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Summer Flounder Technical Committee and determined to meet the requirements of the Commission.

After the options were discussed at a public hearing and comments reviewed, the minimum size limit for summer flounder was set at 18.5 inches and the daily creel limit was set at four fish. In order to keep the estimated landings at or below the 80,000-fish harvest cap, this option also included a short closed season. This year’s summer flounder season will close from Oct. 13 through Dec. 31.

The harvest cap has been adjusted up from the previous year’s level of 65,000 fish because the latest scientific stock assessment data indicates that overfishing is not occurring and summer flounder stock biomass continues to increase and rebuild.