Attention Fisherman:

There have been some new developements with regards to the summer flounder fishery.
As you know the minimum size limit for flounder has increased from 16&1/2 inches in 2006 to 19 inches for 2008. This big increase in the minimum size limit translates to more flounder being caught and handled in order to land a legal size fish. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), estimates at least 10% of all recreationally caught summer flounder die due to hook injury, but in reality many more may not swim away.

The facts also show about 95% of flounder caught over 18 inches are female fish.
Were taking large female breeding stock out of circulation which may prove to hurt the flounder fishery spawing stock, in the long run.

If the flounder fishery were in trouble we could understand the excessive size limits being placed on recreational fisherman, but it is not.

Jim Donofrio the Executive Director of the Recreational Fishing Alliance, testified before Congress about the state of the summer flounder fishery on December 5th, 2007. "The summer flounder stock is now at a size not seen in 25 years, fishing mortality has decreased over 80%, total harvest has decreased over 96%, and both the total stock biomass & spawning stock biomass have increased 251% and 280%, respectively. However, despite what can only be considered strong progress, recreational fisherman will face the most restrictive quotas in history".

There is currently a bill before Congress to amend the Magnus-Stevens Fishery Conservation & Management Act". The bill, HR.5425, was introduced by Congressman Frank Pallone from New Jersey on February 13th, 2008. The Act may also be cited as the "Flexibility in Rebuilding American Fisheries Act of 2008". There are currently 13 Co-Sponsors of HR5425, from Rhode Island, Massachusett's, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, North & South Carolina and Texas. HR.5425 has been referred to the Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife & Oceans. To help this bill along please ask your area representatives in Congress to support and sign on as additional Co-Sponsors.

We have put together a short form letter to make it easier for you to send a note to these representatives. (see below)

E-mail they will receive from you!

From: (Your E-mail address inserted here)
To: va02ima@mail.house.gov, DelLLewis@house.state.va.us, district06@sov.state.va.us
Subject: Summer Flounder Fishery H.R. 5425
Cc: (Your E-mail address inserted here)

Dear Congresswoman Drake, Delegate Lewis & Senator Northam

I am writing to urge your support of House Bill H.R.5425, currently before Congress,
intended to amend the "Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Management Act".

This bill is designed to bring much needed flexibility in rebuilding the stocks of certain fisheries which include the summer flounder. The current status of the summer flounder spawning stock biomass has grown from a low of 15.5 million pounds in 1989 to a high of 97.2 million pounds in 2005. The stock has grown to more than 6 times its lowest value and currently hovers around the highest SSB ever recorded in history.

I do not believe we should severely restrict recreational fisherman who enjoy this fishery and put thousands of businesses that support them out of business. It is wrong to sacrifice the livelihood of these people and other businesses that have existed for generations when we have a healthy and possibly recovered fishery. It is possible to manage this fishery and save the related industries while we learn just how far this stock can grow.

Thank you in advance for your support.

Sincerely, (Your Name will be inserted here)

(Your E-mail address inserted here) Please consider this my digital signature.
Phone: = (your phone number inserted here) You are welcome to call and verify if necessary.