Proposed regulations using questionable research could put another nail in the coffin for flounder fishing this summer. New, proposed regulations could force anglers to throw back any flounder less than 19 inches.
Those 19 inch flounder are the female breeders. Regulators want the mama flounders to be the keepers. It doesn’t make sense.
Listen to the Fish Jersey Shore Podcast for April 21, 2017.
Robin Scott of Ray Scott’s Dock in Margate isn’t backing down. She, along with Dick Herb, Chairman of the Marine Fisheries Council, and Bucktail Willie aka Bill Shillingford were guests on the recent Shep on Fishing radio show on WOND Radio. They have steam coming out of their gills…. I mean ears….. as they impatiently wait for a May 10th decision that could destroy the flounder fun this summer.
SHEP ON FISHING Show Notes:
Fishing is the second biggest industry in New Jersey. Makes sense. We’re next to a lot of water…fresh & salt
Who wants to kill this critical portion of the NJ economy? We’re chasing away recreational fishermen to Delaware and Maryland in the Outer Banks.
Did ya know… licensed Delaware anglers can pillage New Jersey’s flounder since they’re able to take home a 17-incher….even in NJ waters. NJ boaters can’t do that in Delaware.
Are we dealing with faulty flounder research? Is the management and monitoring of our New Jersey fisheries accurate?
There’s no shortage of Seabass or Flounder. That’s what most fishermen say. But under new proposed regulations, any flounder that you’re allowed to keep is going to be a 19 inch female… which is a breeder.
The regulators use a vessel called THE BIGELOW….to fish alongside the big commercial fishermen. Many think they’re not fishing properly. They’re either using the wrong equipment… or they’re just poor fishermen.