SUMMER FLOUNDER FISHERY THREATENED WITH CLOSURE

Impending disaster stalks the summer flounder fishery as the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) talks openly about a closure in 2009. The event would severely impact New Jersey marine businesses and anglers who depend on this traditional fishery.

In the meantime, the 2008 quota has been slashed and the NMFS has called for even more “precautionary” measures for next year, further reducing fishing opportunities.

By law the flatfish stock has to be rebuilt to 200 plus million pounds by 2013. It’s about halfway there and much doubt exists that summer flounder would reach the target in the remaining time.

Frankly, so what? If this fishery were in trouble as striped bass were when a 10-year closure was imposed, we would understand and support drastic action. As it is, ideology, not biology, drives the move toward closure.

But the stock is in very healthy shape, having more than doubled since a management plan was implemented in 1993. Flatfish are in such abundance that both New Jersey and New York anglers surpassed their 2007 quotas before the summer was over. We haven’t encountered as many summer flounder in almost 30 years!

Both the rebuilding target and the time line are arbitrary at best, yet blind adherence to ideology despite economic consequences drives the headlong rush to closure. Environmentalists want the fishery rebuilt in the mandated time regardless of the stock’s health, its steady, albeit slow, growth and the economics of the fishery. However, fishery laws were supposed to balance conservation with economic considerations but narrow thinking and values have thus far won the day in Congress. By complying with such narrow thinking in 1996 Congress put in place onerous laws the full implications of which have just begun to surface.

Fortunately, area fishing activists aren’t standing idle while the government whittles away at livelihoods. The Recreational Fishing Alliance, United Boatmen of New Jersey and New York and the newly formed Save Our Summer Flounder Fishery Fund headed by Greg Heuth have launched efforts to develop new fishery science and motivate Congress to reexamine the punitive legislation.

We urge all fishermen to participate as best they can through letter writing, phone calling, hearing attendance and financial contributions. We’ll keep you updated on what’s happening and how you can help with this vital coastal fishery.