Recreational fishermen to get bigger cut of fluke harvest
Changes have been made to the fluke quotas that will mean slightly more fish for recreational anglers.
One of the last joint actions of the Mid-Atlantic Fisheries Marine Council and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission was to shift 5% of the quota to the recreational side.
The move won't go into effect until 2023. When it does the new harvest allotment will be divided up 55% commercial to 45% recreational. Previously, the commercial sector was given 60% of the coastwide harvest of fluke, an allocation that was set in the mid-1990s.
For the 2019-2021 fishing seasons, the commercial summer flounder quota was set at 11.53 million pounds and the recreational harvest limit was 7.69 million pounds.
The reason for the new allocation was to get more in line with the fisheries use today based on changes in how recreational catch is estimated by the Marine Recreational Information Program, or MRIP.
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It may change again as recreational summer flounder figures will be transitioning from landings-based to catch-based allocations, which will include discards or throwback fish.
As far as this upcoming season goes, there could changes to both the fluke and sea bass recreational quotas. Capt. Adam Nowalsky, the state's proxy on the ASMFC, said the fluke anglers might be allowed to catch 16% more fish this season. On the downsize, he said sea bass could be cut by as much as 28%.
The quotas will completed during the winter meetings of the two federal fishery managers.
Fishing report
This was a week of dock work. The week started out with a big swell on the ocean which kept everyone at the dock. The forecast isn't looking good for today or Saturday. NOAA is calling for wind gusts to hit 30 out of the north and seas could hit 5-foot peaks.
What's biting: get the latest fishing reports here
The wind should come around to the west by Sunday, if the forecast holds. The captains of the blackfish boats are optimistic they'll be able to get out, at least by Sunday.
Calendar
Boat show
The Progressive Insurance New York Boat Show is set to return to the Javits Center from Jan. 26-30.
Rod building class
Brielle Bait & Tackle will be holding rod-building classes again this winter. All the basics will be taught over three, two-hour sessions in February. The dates are Feb. 9,11 & 13. The cost is $90. Call the shop at 732-528-5720 to sign up.
Flea market
The Hi-Mar Striper Club will hold its Annual Fishing Flea Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Feb. 12 at the Port Monmouth VFW Post, 1 Veterans Lane, Middletown. The cost is $5. Kids under 12 are free.
When Jersey Shore native Dan Radel is not reporting the news, you can find him in a college classroom where he is a history professor. Reach him @danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj.com.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Recreational fishermen to get bigger cut of fluke harvest
