How many flounder can you keep

GOV" from your compatibility view listings using your settings in the Internet Explorer options. They're prized for their delicious white meat. Following the regional study, biologists from the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources SCDNR confirmed similar trends in South Carolina waters: the overall abundance, number of young fish produced and average size of southern flounder were all down. In other words, the status of the stock determines what type of management response would be implemented, including adjustment of management measures, scaled payback of overage, or pound-for-pound overage payback.

These adjustments will be made in the following fishing year, or as soon as possible, as a single year adjustment. The most recent benchmark stock assessment for summer flounder was in , where the stock was declared not overfished and overfishing was not occuring.

The next assessment for summer flounder is expected in It is important to ensure consistency in fish ages used in fish population assessments. The Fishery…. Summer Flounder Paralichthys dentatus. Flounder, Fluke, Northern fluke, Hirame. Quick Facts Region. Population Near target levels but fishing rate promotes population growth.

Fishing Rate At recommended levels. Habitat Impacts Bottom trawls can impact bottom habitats. Bycatch Regulations are in place to minimize bycatch.

Summer flounder have flat bodies. They are white below and some shade of brown, gray, or drab above. They also have spots on their back and can be distinguished because at least five of these dark spots are arranged in an "X" pattern. Summer flounder is a left-eyed flatfish both eyes are on the left side of its body when viewed from above with the dorsal fin facing up. When larvae develop into juveniles, their right eye moves across the top of the head to the left side.

Summer flounder grow fast and have a relatively short life, about 12 to 14 years. Males grow to more than 2 feet in length and females grow up to 3 feet. They are able to reproduce when they reach age 2 or 3. Summer flounder spawn in the fall and early winter when they migrate offshore. They spawn several times throughout the spawning season. Spawning peaks in October and November when water temperatures change and autumn plankton is most productive.

The combination of these elements improves the chance of survival for larval summer flounder. Depending on their size, females have between , and more than 4 million eggs. They release the eggs into the water column and the eggs hatch in waters of the continental shelf. Newly hatched larvae move with the currents toward coastal areas, where they develop into juveniles. Summer flounder eat a mixed diet of fish and invertebrates throughout their life. Overfished means the population is too small.

Overfishing means the removal rate is too high. North Carolina is leading the rebuilding effort with the Marine Fisheries Commission adoption of Amendment 2. The Division of Marine Fisheries is developing Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3, which examines more robust management strategies, such as quotas, slot limits, size limit changes, gear changes, and species-specific management for the recreational fishery.

Draft Amendment 3 is scheduled to be reviewed and potentially approved for public and advisory committee review in November Copyright Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Sign up for the Lunchtime Headlines Newsletter and receive up to date information.