Some Facts On How Fluke Have Been Managed

[george]

COMMERCIAL VS RECREATIONAL SPLIT:

• 60% commercial / 40% recreational allocation established in 1992
• Based on 1980-1989 historical catch data (last stable period before stock collapse)
• Commercial sector dominated with ~60% of 26,100 metric tons peak landings in 1983

CONSERVATION EQUIVALENCY PROBLEMS:

• System allows states different regulations despite managing same fish stock
• New Jersey consistently gets 1-2 inch smaller size limits than NY/CT (9 out of 10 years)
• Based on unreliable data with 50-100%+ error rates (PSE values)
• Violates scientific principle of managing stock as single unit

10-YEAR REGULATORY DISPARITIES (2014-2024):

• 2014: All states had uniform 18" size limit, 5 fish bag limit
• 2015-2024: NJ maintained consistent advantages with smaller size limits
• NY/CT faced increasingly restrictive regulations despite more fish in their waters
• Special NJ zones (Delaware Bay, Island Beach) provide additional advantages

DATA ACCURACY ISSUES:

• MRIP survey data has 15-100%+ error rates for state-level estimates
• Major data revisions: new estimates 1.5-3x higher than old estimates
• ASMFC monitoring committees acknowledge "high PSEs" and data problems
• System relies on data known to be inadequate for precise management

ECONOMIC/SOCIAL IMPACTS:

• NY/CT anglers face 15-40% reduced harvest opportunities
• Charter boat industry disadvantaged in NY/CT vs NJ
• Creates unfair competition based on political boundaries, not fish location
• Enforcement nightmare at state borders (same fish, different rules)

STOCK DISTRIBUTION MISMATCH:

• Fish population shifted north since 1998 baseline allocations
• More fish now in NY/CT waters, but they face most restrictive regulations
• NJ keeps liberal rules despite fewer local fish
• 1998 allocations don't reflect current reality

BOTTOM LINE: Conservation equivalency has failed - it creates persistent inequities, relies on bad data, and violates scientific management principles. The system needs comprehensive reform to restore fairness and effectiveness.

You can find more here: Summer Flounder Commercial vs Recreational Allocation