Community Corner

Fluke Season Extended for NJ Anglers

Eight more days of fishing for recreational anglers

By Daniel Nee

The state Marine Fisheries Council voted last week to extend the open season on summer flounder, commonly known as fluke, by eight days.

Fluke season will now last through Tuesday, Sept. 24 instead of Monday, Sept. 16 as originally planned.

The eight day extension of the season was a compromise between three options. Alternatives were six and 11 day extensions. Traditionally, fisheries regulators on the state level have chosen such compromises in order to strike a balance between more fishing time for anglers and to stem the threat of a shorter season the following year if too many fish are taken.

While the council sets the dates of open seasons, the overall quota is decided by a federal panel.

"The council did a good job in balancing forward-looking thinking with the needs of the public," said Capt. Adam Nowalsky, a charter boat operator who represented the Recreational Fishing Alliance, a pro-fishing group, at the council's meeting.

Recreational anglers must still abide by the previously-set limits on fish size and possession. Keeper fluke must be a minimum of 17.5 inches long, and anglers can keep five fish, per person, per day.


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