From the Recreational Fisheries Alliance:

The Battle Over the 2008 Summer Flounder Quota
Sets the Stage for National Fisheries Reform

NMFS has released its proposed specifications for summer flounder, black seas bass and scup for 2008, which includes reductions for all three species. Already, the environmental industry, lead by the Pew Charitable Trusts, is claiming the cuts do not go far enough.  For summer flounder, one of the biggest and most important recreational fisheries, NMFS has proposed a 15.77 million pound quota for 2008.  If approved, the 2008 quota for summer flounder will be the lowest quota set since management began for this species over 14 years ago. While 15.77 million pounds is by no means a windfall for the industry and in fact will force more businesses that are dependent on anglers fishing for fluke, it appears to be the best quota we can hope for in 2008.  A benchmark stock assessment is scheduled for June 2008 and regardless of its outcome, the results will not help in 2008.  This mounting problem with summer flounder has spurred national discussion on the need to revisit the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), our nation's primary fisheries law.  RFA is proud to be at the forefront calling for flexibility in MSA.

The problem is not the size of the summer flounder population, which even the environmental industry agrees has increased four times since its management began, but the time in which the stock must achieve its target biomass level.  Lee Crocket, who directs the Federal Fisher Policy Reform Project at Pew and former Executive Director of Marine Fish Conservation Network, describes this situation as "a classic case of short-term economics beating out sound science" in a recent press release.  He is correct that even the 15.77 million pound quota will cause negative economic consequences.  However, it is ironic that Mr. Crocket and the environmental industry are supporting a rebuilding time frame that has absolutely no scientific basis.  While the formulation of the rebuilding goal does utilize scientific analysis, it is hardly a certain science.  In fact, as information on summer flounder has improved, the target has been adjusted numerous times, all downward.  This reflects the dynamic nature of the marine environment and the difficulty in fitting simplistic models to complex systems.

"The environmental industry is still clinging to the old cliché that fishermen are greedy and want to catch the last fish in the ocean.  It is sad that their entire position and their rationale they are presenting to legislators is based on an outdated stereotype," states RFA Executive Director Jim Donofrio.  "Quite frankly, it is an embarrassment.  I think it is time for them to take note of their dogma by taking a science-based approach to fisheries management and halting their environmental fraud campaign."

The proposed 2008 summer flounder, black sea bass and scup are under public comment period until December 3, 2007.  It is important that NMFS receive comments from fishermen supporting the proposed 15.77 million pound summer flounder quota for 2008.  The environmental industry has already indicated that it will pressure NMFS to implement the lowest possible quota. Please forward comments to Patricia A. Kurkul, Regional Administrator, National Marine Fisheries Service, One Blackburn Drive, Gloucester, MA 01930.

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