RFA Alert - Significant Reductions to Summer Flounder Quota Proposed for 2017
Anglers Encouraged to Submit Comments by November 30th

NOAA Fisheries is soliciting comments from the public in regards to the proposed 2017 and 2018 acceptable biological catch (ABC) for summer flounder.  In its  federal register notice, NOAA Fisheries is proposing an 11.30 and 13.23 million pound ABC for 2017 and 2018 respectively.  If approved, the 2017 ABC of 11.23 million pounds would represent a 29% reduction relative to 2016 and the lowest ABC in the history of summer flounder management.  On top of that, NOAA Fisheries is reporting that the recreational sector exceeded its 2016 recreational harvest limit and that the overage would need to be paid back in 2017.  The result would produce a reduction going into 2017 close to 40% for recreational anglers. 

RFA is opposed to the proposed reductions citing the fact that a full benchmark assessment has not been conducted since 2013. 
They are encouraging all fishermen to weigh in before the public comment period closes on Wednesday, November 30th, and have created an email campaign to make commenting quick and easy to share.  

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