N.J. fluke fishermen get longer season; possible sea bass conflict brewing

As far as the 2018 fluke season goes, New Jersey recreational fishermen will have more days on the water open to them this year.

Following what was probably the most restrictive fluke season to date in 2017, the New Jersey Marine Fisheries Council approved a recreational fluke season from May 25 to Sept. 22.

The daily bag limit and size limit is the same as last year: three fish at 18 inches.

This longer season was the result of a coastwide recreational quota increase from 3.77 million pounds in 2017 to 4.4 million pounds in 2018. The increase was approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Related: N.J. fishermen will likely see a longer 2018 fluke season

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New Jersey summer flounder fishermen will be able to land about 70,000 more fluke this year, or 506,000 versus 433,000 last year.

In 2017, New Jersey fought against a 19-inch fluke size limit, which would have been the biggest length of keeper fluke to date in New Jersey, which has seen several size limit increases to a fluke in last 25 or more years.

Related: NJ's fluke season saved after US secretary approves regulations

Whether New Jersey won that fight or not, is still debated on the water. The state got the federal government to agree to an 18 size limit, but in return, fishermen had to give up almost all of September.

Sea Bass

There could be a potential issue with the black sea bass.

Paul Hartel of the Jersey Coast Angler's Association, who attended the marine council's April 5 meeting where the measures for the fluke and sea bass seasons were adopted, said states to the north are appealing the ASMFC's approved sea bass regulations.

"Depending on the outcome of the appeal our sea bass regulations may or may not have to change," said Hartel.

Adam Nowalsky, N.J.'s legislative proxy to the ASMFC Summer Flounder, Scup and Black Sea Bass board, said the states that appealed are looking to gain more sea bass.

The appeal will be heard the first week of May, and it could take a few different turns before it's decided, Nowalsky said.

The ASMFC could side with the states that are appealing and adjust the coastwide allocation of sea bass, which could affect New Jersey's allotment of fish.

If the ASMFC does not, the states could opt to go out of compliance, which would have different implications.

If a majority of Atlantic Coast states do not conform to ASMFC's approved sea bass regulation, the commission could enforce a coastwide regulation of five fish at 14 inches

Sea Bass 2018 rules

Like it has been for several years. the sea bass season has four waves:

May 15-June 22: 10 fish at 12.5 inches

July- August 31: 2 fish at 12.5 inches

Oct. 8-Oct. 31: 10 fish at 12.5 inches

Nov. 1-Dec. 31: 15 fish at 13 inches

Dan Radel: Twitter@danielradelapp; 732-643-4072; dradel@gannettnj;com