| As many of you already know, I have been following the ASMFC (Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission) proposed managment measures for winter flounder since its first meeting held in Alexandria Va, Aughust 2003. Since that time I have been to many public hearings, commission meetings and even sat in on a Winter FLounder Advisory meeting this summer with my friend, Capt. Sean Buchard, from the Misty Morn party boat, New Jersey this summer. A panel of so called experts, The ASMFC technical committee deemed it necessary for the Southern New England/ Mid Atlantic stock of winter flounder was overfished, and overfishing is occuring. The Gulf of Maine stock was in fine shape. Thus makes up the 3 stocks that Winter Flounder are broken into. Why the Southern New England/Mid Atlantic stock is grouped together is beyond anyone guess, as it covers all the way from Maine to New Jersey as one. At the advisory meetings many things were brought up, for Lydia Munger (I'll give you a link to her later on) to address to the ASMFC board. Predatition was brought up, Seals, Comerants, Striped Bass, Bluefish and even Fluke as top predators on flounders. Habitat loss.... What I feel and most people who actually fish for a living is the reason for the decline in the flounders... was brought up, habitat loss occurs when clorine and other toxins are put into the water through treated sewage plants, runoff from lawn fertilizers, and even power plants. Chlorine is a killer, put a drop in your tropical aquarium see what happens. Now here is the political part, all of which governs fisherie regulations dont be fooled that it doesnt. The ASMFC knows it cannot do much about predation, as a fisherman I disagree, because it is my personal opinion and many like me that mismanagement is occuring with all the species. Case in point, when have you ever seen so many Striped Bass, bluefish, and dogfish sharks, yes they also have a dogfish shark managment plan in effect as you did in 2004. At the same time so few porgys, sea bass, blackfish, and keeper sized fluke. 18 " is ridiculous but thats another story. They are trying to bring ALL species to HISTORIC levels, I dont think anyone there understands predator prey relationships. Can NEVER happen one or two species will start to dominate, already has. Habtiat loss there your talking mega bucks, going after major coorperations, cities, factorys, too much fear of a lawsuit if you ask me, and the BIG INDUSTRYS can back up the high priced lawyers. So they dont bother with that the most important issue. They would rather go after the one aspect of the fishery that they can control. The receational fisherman, YOU. I am now going to give you two options that were mailed to me today to be discussed at a PUBLIC HEARING on MONDAY DECEMBER 13 2004.(I will give address later as I hope ALL WILL COME to this meeting, we NEED LOTS OF PEOPLE AT THIS ONE.) Option 1 : * Minimum size 12 inches. * Creel limit 6 fish per person. * CLOSED SEASON MARCH 1 - APRIL 30 Option 2 : * Minimum size 12 inches. * Creel limit 2 fish per person. * States would keep their current seasons. In New York the current season is open the 3rd Sat in March till June 30th and Sept. 15 through Nov. 30 BOTH OF THESE OPTIONS ARE UNACCEPTABLE TO US RECREATIONAL FISHERMAN! These are more a moratorium then fair regulations. If some part of me thought that they would help bring back the flounders into our bays, maybe I'd agree. However if you look at Jones Inlet for example. Just about no one has flounder fished there for 10 years, and still the flounders didnt come back. WHY??? HABITAT LOSS..... Even by us, sure we have occasional good days or even weeks in our bay. Everyone knows when we start to fish outside, (Romer, Cedars, C.I. Flats, East Beach) in the ocean is when we really, really catch the flounders good. Why dont all those fish swim up inside?? HABITAT LOSS. MAIN #1 REASON. The food isn't there the fish WON'T come. That is why we need ALL OF YOU AT THIS MEETING ON MONDAY NIGHT TO FIGHT FOR YOUR RIGHT TO FISH: It is a right we are loosing. The meeting will be held at: 7:00PM Monday December 13 2004 NYSDEC Bureau of Marine Resources 205 Belle Mead Road. East Setauket NY 11733 You can also write your public comment and foward it too Lydia Munger; Fisheries Management Plan Coordinator 1444 Eye Street NW Sixth Floor Washington DC 20005 or (202)289-6051 (fax) or at Comments@asfmc.org. All of these would help, but not like YOU being at this meeting. LETS FILL THE ROOM, GET OUR VOICES HEARD. WE HAVE HAD ENOUGH AND AREN'T GONNA TAKE IT ANYMORE. Any other questions I can be reached at 917-747-4789 or captmikehb@aol.com. Looking foward to seeing you at the meeting. |
