DEC Pilots New Option for Commercial Harvesting of Fluke

ALBANY, NY (11/25/2009)(readMedia)-- Working cooperatively with the commercial fluke fishing industry, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced a new initiative that can help reduce costs and maximize fishing efficiency. Starting Nov. 28, commercial fluke fishermen will have the option to participate in a new trial harvest protocol that changes allowed landings from a daily trip limit to a weekly limit.

The new weekly limit for fluke was developed following discussions held earlier this year by DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis and commercial fishing representatives who expressed support for a change in how the daily trip limits for fluke are administered. It is being enacted for commercial fluke fishing during the winter only, as winter weather has a tremendous impact on the ability of fishing boats to make it out and back to the deeper waters where fluke are found.

"When I met with boat captains who explained how a simple change like a weekly limit could make a huge difference to their bottom line, it seemed like a win-win situation," Commissioner Grannis said. "DEC continues to protect the fluke population this winter with comparable harvests, but gives the boat captains the flexibility of choosing which limit option is right for them."

By providing fishermen the option of changing from a daily to a weekly limit, they can pick the best days to fish, reduce the number of trips (and associated operating costs) of going out for fluke repeatedly in one week, and also have more time to catch their limit before needing to return to port. In addition, once a participating fisherman lands the weekly limit, the fisherman could return to sea to harvest other species that are in season.

Fluke, also known as summer flounder, is one of the quota-managed species harvested commercially in New York. This year, the total annual quota for New York's commercial fluke harvest is 821,368 pounds. DEC's fluke quota distribution plan divides the annual quota into five periods throughout the year. When New York state commercial fluke landings approach the period harvest limit, DEC closes the fishery.

Once the weekly limit option begins this Saturday, fishermen will either continue with the daily trip limit of 70 pounds of fluke per day, or the weekly limit of 400 pounds per week. The weekly limit increases in January 2010 to 1,200 pounds.

At the end of the winter period (March 2010), DEC staff will evaluate the weekly limit's success to determine whether it will be continued for future winters. Approximately 50 fishermen have expressed interest in the weekly limit. To participate, DEC requires enrollment information and has specific reporting requirements that assist in enforcement and tracking harvest. For more information about the weekly limit for fluke, please contact DEC at: (631) 444-0453.