It's official, New Jersey's summer flounder season will begin this Saturday, May 7.

The Recreational Fishing Alliance's New Jersey Chapter (RFA-NJ) chairman Capt. Adam Nowalsky was notified by the Bureau of Marine Fisheries that the summer flounder regulations recently approved by the Marine Fisheries Council were officially signed off on by Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Bob Martin this past Friday afternoon.

"We are happy the season will go forward as planned," said Capt. Nowalsky, who cited calls to the DEP office from public and letters of support from Congressman Frank Pallone and District 1 Legislators Sen. Jeff Van Drew, and Assemblymen Nelson Albano and Matt Milam as the reason for quick action by the Commissioner.

Nowalsky said an email blast sent out by the RFA-NJ last Thursday urging RFA members to help in an appeal to the DEP helped secure the season was opened on time.  "The Bureau did their job getting the regulations to the DEP quickly, the public did their job getting involved, and the legislators did their job supporting their constituents."

Nowalsky said he hoped the DEP will act quickly on black sea bass measures that are to be decided on May 5.  "It is good to know we have a strong support base at all levels to get things done if needed," said Nowalsky.