New Jersey anglers will get a Memorial Day through Labor day season for summer flounder — but have yet to see if they can have a split season for black sea bass that will carry anglers into the early autumn.

The state Marine Fisheries Commission approved a 12.5-inch minimum size and 25-fish daily limit for black sea bass, in a vote that also expressed preference for a proposed May 22 to Aug. 8 and Sept. 4 to Oct. 4 season.

Whether that happens is up to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, if it revisits an initial decision last month to set a May 22 to Sept. 12 season.

"There are a lot of states that will have a fluke closure in September," said Tony Bogan of United Boatmen, a party and charter boat trade group. "Then what do you do when two of the primary species . . . are closed within days of each other?"

"Sometimes when September (flounder) closes, we're out of business until stripers start," said Bob Rush of the Starfish party boats in Sea Isle City.

For summer flounder, the council chose an 18-inch minimum, six fish a day and a May 29 TO -Sept. 6 season. That vote followed a lengthy discussion among the council and comments from anglers on the desire for a longer season — and the dangers of going down the path of New York State, with its disastrously shrunken fluke fishery.

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