NEWPORT NEWS
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission on Tuesday approved new regulations for flounder.
The commission was ordered by federal fisheries managers to reduce the 2008 catch by 21.6 percent of the 2007 take.
To do so, the commission approved limits of 19 inches and five fish a day. There will be a closed season from July 21-30.
The rules go into effect March 1.
Old regulations were for five fish a day that each measured at least 18.5 inches. Closed seasons were from Jan. 1 through March 31, and from July 23-38.
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19 is a joke
there goal is to make it so you will go buy it instead of catching it. VMRC is made up of people with strong ties to commercial fishing. I dont really fish for flounder, but I havent seem to many 5 fish over 19 inches days for anyone I know. 2 things that really burn me up is (1) they always swallow the hook and are gonna die anyhow (2) seeing those little 12 inchers for sale in the store. They should ban the commercial harvest for 10 years or so and this problem would go away.
State Rule
What ever happened to the states being able to call the shots with support from the Federal Government.
No one seems to have the guts to tell the Feds a resounding NO, and let the chips fall where they may.
How about some reasonable size limits for the rod and reel fisherman. That 15 inch flounder is going to die any way when that hook is pulled out and half it's guts come out with it....but throw it back in the water to die...The Feds know best...
What ever happened to common sense?
I think (but not totally
I think (but not totally sure) the fed. fisheries managers are a group of representatives from the mid-Atlantic coastal states i.e. Delaware, Maryland, Virginia and North Carolina. They need to make a separate size limit for the Eastern Shore (inland waters like bays & creeks). The fish do not get as big there as they do around the CBBT. It may be tough to enforce but the current size limits are making it not worth fishing out of Wachapreague, Oyster, etc. The local guides are already feeling it.
Who? Why?
Who are "federal fisheries managers", would you tell us please? And why are they demanding this? This is poor reporting.