Much to the approval of New York anglers and to the dismay of New Jersey anglers, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission today approved Addendum XXV for 2014 Summer Flounder and Black Sea Bass Recreational Fisheries. The vote passed with a 7-4 vote.

Basically, what this rule does is allow New York anglers to keep four summer flounder (fluke) daily of 18 inches or larger during the 128-day season, which will begin in early May. Last year, New York anglers could keep four fish of 19 inches or longer, while their neighbor anglers from New Jersey and Connecticut could keep five fish per day of 17.5 inches or larger–even when they were fishing in the same waters as New York anglers.

The addendum was supported by New York’s representatives on the commission Jim Gilmore, who is head of the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation’s marine division, and Pat Augustine a New York fisheries regulator.

The new rules are scheduled to remain in place for one year, but can be renewed or revised in 2015.

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo had also been active in supporting the new rule and had last year threatened to sue on behalf of New York anglers. Governor Cuomo was pleased with the outcome and said that he doubted if the rules would revert back to previous regulations next year.

FISH ON!

 

ASMFC, Connecticut, fish, Fishing, Flounder, Fluke, New Jersey, New York, Regulations

By Sid

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