Flounder Regs, REC vs COMM-Bycatch Discussion

[HOLWACHAGOT]

Once again I'd like to welcome this forum and Thank Fishpicker and John for getting it started. Hopefully this thread will be the first of many topics discussed here and hopefully these discussions will remain somewhat civilized.
I'll open a very general discussion and we'll see where it leads.
I have many questions regarding laws regulating commercial draggers and netters limits and allowable undersize bycatch when compared with the recreational limits. Here in VA the legal count gets lower and the legal length goes up every season it seems. I question the logic behind the laws. Why be able to keep only big breeders and no small fish as a hook and line weekend warrior when the draggers can keep literally thousands and thousands of pounds per trip of short fish? Why is the legal minimum size smaller for the commercial guys? Who the heck thinks up these brilliant conservation plans? Has anyone seen the punishment for breaking the laws? I will cut this post here in efforts to get some discussion going and promise to chime back in with some very interesting information.
Any thoughts or concerns on the Flounder regs and where we are headed as recreational fisherman.
I fear the laws will eventually become so ridiculous it will make criminals out of a lot of good people, Rec and Commercial alike.
Holwachagot

[fishpicker]

I'll give a very brief response due to time restraints.


I have no idea what the legal size limit is in VA. I know that here in NJ it is 14 inchs for comm. Which to the naked eye seems nuts , here is what many don't realize or understand. We have to use a 6 inch cod end , which for all intents purposes excludes roughly 95 % of undersize flounder (Personal estimate from experince). The flounder that we pack are almost too large for the markets due to the mesh size.

I known that that sounds nuts but it is the truth. When I have more time I will go a lot more in depth if you would like.

[sportfishingusa]

I'll give a very brief response due to time restraints.


I have no idea what the legal size limit is in VA. I know that here in NJ it is 14 inchs for comm. Which to the naked eye seems nuts , here is what many don't realize or understand. We have to use a 6 inch cod end , which for all intents purposes excludes roughly 95 % of undersize flounder (Personal estimate from experince). The flounder that we pack are almost too large for the markets due to the mesh size.

I known that that sounds nuts but it is the truth. When I have more time I will go a lot more in depth if you would like.

I got a friend of mine at the pack out docks in barnegat light and he said the same thing marty just said.. These guys are netting and monk fishing or whatever using somewhere close to 12" mesh... they a big fluke to get stuck in 12" mesh..

I bought a bunch from them a while back that they brought in legally or illegally (i dont know if they have larger sizes they have to release) but they were all 5+lb fish...

The little guys slide right thru from what i believe and understand!

[captcl]

Just scrolling down and found this thread. Wow! Commercials and Recs talking on the same thread with civility. First i'd like to congratulate the Va. fishermen (that's you holwachagot)for having the nerve and concern to put some decent regs in place.
Do we or NMFS or anyone else have any data on flounder reproduction/migratory behaviour/habits?
What constitutes a "market size" flounder?
If the state(N.C. to N. Y.)agencies are communicating how come the seasons, size and creel limits not more uniform?
I'll be here to discuss, add and debate(not bash) as I'm sure we can move to other speices.This is great!

Fishpicker we are sure to talk sharks!

[fishpicker]

Better info is coming, hopefully this will be the start of the tides changing.