Editor's note: New Jersey Fish and Wildlife e-mailed the below announcement to the public at 4 p.m. Feb. 27, essentially a day before the state would decide this year's fluke bag limit on March 1.

From the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife:

The New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council Summer Flounder Committee met recently with recreational summer flounder advisors to discuss management options for the 2007 recreational fishery.  Meeting participants reviewed 13 options that covered a range of size limits, bag limits, and seasons necessary to meet New Jersey's required 39.5% harvest reduction.  Discussion focused on how the different options might affect the New Jersey summer flounder fishery this year and in future years.

Based on these discussions, meeting participants selected four management options to present to the Marine Fisheries Council and the public.  These options include three options preferred by the organizations represented by the advisors, as well as one option at 16.5" for comparison to recent years' regulations. 

The four options can be seen on the Division's Web site.  The Division has developed a survey for the public to provide input to the Council on the different options.  If you would like to provide input on these options, please complete the online survey.

In addition, there will be a limited time for public comment at the Marine Fisheries Council meeting on Thursday, March 1, 2007 (4:00pm - 6:30pm at the Atlantic County Library, 306 East Jimmie Leeds Rd., Galloway, NJ 08205).  The Council will consider all the public input and make a final decision regarding the 2007 summer flounder recreational management measures at the March 1 meeting. Receiving your survey prior to noon on March 1 will ensure your opinion is considered.

The survey can be found at http://www.njfishandwildlife.com/sumflounder_survey07.htm . We appreciate your interest in the management of New Jersey's marine resources.

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