It's a fight, Flounder Season a go in NC!!! Commission approves recreational flounder season in certain waters

From the Island Free Press
Wildlife Resources Commission approves recreational flounder season in certain waters

July 29, 2024 | Fishing | By: Sam Walker




From SamWalkerOBXNews.com

The battle over whether or not there will be a recreational flounder season in North Carolina waters this year intensified last week, as the state Wildlife Resources Commission voted to open a four-day season in waters under their jurisdiction in September.

In a letter from Wildlife Resources Chairman Monty Crump to Marine Fisheries Commission Chair Rob Bizzell sent Thursday, Crump said his panel had rejected the Marine Fisheries’ proposal not to open a recreational season this year.

He also accused the Marine Fisheries Commission of siding with the commercial industry to the detriment of recreational anglers.

But the decision leaves those very same anglers in a difficult situation as to which waters they can and cannot legally keep flounder, as well as where they are even allowed to bring their catch to the dock if fishing on a boat.

North Carolina waters are regulated by two separate commissions that are composed of members who are actively involved in fishing or hunting, either recreationally or professionally.

The Marine Fisheries Commission, a nine-member panel appointed by the governor, covers the Atlantic Ocean, and the coastal sounds and rivers up to a certain geographic point.

The jurisdiction of the Wildlife Resources Commission, which has 19 members that are appointed by the governor and the General Assembly, includes parts of those same coastal sounds and rivers, known as joint waters, along with all inland waterways.



The waters marked in red are considered Joint Waters. [NCDMF map]

Certain freshwater species, such as largemouth bass and sunfish, are managed exclusively by the Wildlife Resources Commission, while saltwater species like red drum and speckled trout are managed by the Marine Fisheries Commission.

But the two commissions overlap when it comes to flounder, striped bass, and a few others that spend at least part of their lives in both of their waters.

The Marine Fisheries Commission voted in May to not allow a recreation season for any type of flounder in North Carolina’s coastal waters “in order to preserve the Southern flounder resource”, the commission said in a news release.

A roughly two-week long season has taken place in September in the northern half of the coast in recent years.

Three distinct species of flounder are found in North Carolina’s coastal waters: Summer, Gulf and Southern flounder.

While only Southern flounder are considered “overfished and overfishing is occurring” according to NCDMF, the entire flounder fishery has been impacted by the closures, in-part, because it is assumed many anglers have difficulty determining which species they have caught.

North Carolina has put strict limits on flounder fishing in recent years, including the limited seasons or outright closures, neighbors to the north and south have been much more liberal.

Recreational anglers in Virginia can keep four flounder per day that are at least 16 inches long before May 31, and 17.5 inches long after June 1. The primary species found there is Summer flounder.

South Carolina allows 5 flounder per person, per day with a minimum length of 16 inches.

Adopted by the commission in 2022, Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan set quotas for the recreational and commercial fisheries, based on scientific data, to end overfishing and rebuild the stock.

The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries said in May that estimates from 2023 indicate the recreational catch exceeded the quota allowed in the plan.

There is a pound-for-pound payback if either sector goes over its quota.

During their May quarterly meeting, the Marine Fisheries Commission received an update on the recreational quota available for a recreational flounder season.

After subtracting the recreational overage from 2023, the recreational quota remaining for 2024 is not large enough to allow for a season opening.

The division said leftover quota will be used to account for the anticipated dead discards that will occur due to incidental catch and release.

The commission discussed holding a special meeting to consider alternatives to not opening a 2024 recreational season but ultimately did not move forward with that approach.

The commission did leave open the option of a season in 2025.

Crump said in his letter on Thursday that the Wildlife Resources Commission approved a recreational, hook-and-line season for September 1, 2, 7 and 8, with a daily limit of one-fish per angler with a minimum size of 15 inches.

Gigging for flounder will not be allowed during the season.

“The WRC did not make this decision lightly when considering the potential impact on the flounder resource,” Crump said.

Crump referenced a previous letter to Bizzell, saying Wildlife Resources had requested Marine Fisheries to “immediately conduct a special meeting to shift the (quota) allocation from 30% for the recreation sector to 50%, and you did not even bother to reply.”

“Our fisheries staff have calculated that a four-day season should allow recreational anglers an opportunity to harvest fish without exceeding the quota, if the allocation is shifted as we suggested,” Crump said.

While a commercial flounder season remains open in the Atlantic Ocean until September 15 or when the ocean quota reaches 80%, whichever comes first, dates for a commercial flounder season in the sounds and coastal rivers for 2024 have not been announced.

“Your inaction further cemented the idea that the MFC sees fit to implement a commercial season in 2024 while ignoring the importance of and impacts to the recreational sector,” Crump said. “The WRC has spoken again today against punishing recreational anglers, through no fault of their own, because of a biased allocation of our public trust resources.”

“It is abundantly clear that this issue is an allocation issue rather than a conservation issue,” Crump said.

Also see this article from last year  https://friendsoutdoorjournal.blogspot.com/2023/08/talk-about-dysfunctional-nc-flounder.html

Coastal locals love these 10 seafood restaurants; here’s why - from the coastalreview.org

 

If you are not reading the Coastal Review, you should be!!!

 Coastal locals love these 10 seafood restaurants; here’s why

coastalreview.org/2024/07/coastal-locals-love-these-10-seafood-restaurants-heres-why/

Liz BiroJuly 16, 2024

A classic fried shrimp platter with fries and slaw on a meat-and-two plate at Riverview Café in Sneads Ferry. Photo: Contributed

All the tears shed when El’s Drive-In closed for summer could cut a new inlet through Carteret County.

The owners promised that the beloved Morehead City landmark would return this fall after renovations. They also opened an outpost in up the coast in Smyrna. Nonetheless, a hole remains in the hearts of locals who still remember when El Franks opened this go-to for the famous N.C. shrimp burger in 1959.

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El’s is one of those local-favorite seafood restaurants along North Carolina’s coast that don’t just serve tasty food. They bring a sense of joy and connection that keep regulars coming back.

Staff are just so nice, and you’re bound to see someone you know. Even if you don’t, folks at the next table or in line behind you will strike up a conversation. Before long, the owner might join in, sharing family stories, cherished recipes passed down through generations and the names of commercial fishers who harvested the fresh catch.

Of course, fried seafood aromas drift from kitchens into homespun dining rooms, more reasons why locals return again and again.

O’Neal’s Sea Harvest

618 Harbor Road, Wanchese 

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The L-shaped counter hosts a cashier taking lunch orders on one end and a second ringing up fresh seafood at the other. Fish and shellfish glisten on ice in between while crews cut seafood behind them. Customers filling the zero-frills dining room savor fried black drum, sheepshead, golden tile, whatever’s biting. Daily specials might list scallop po’boys, grilled mahi tacos or blackened shrimp and asiago cheese stuffed inside baked potatoes. If you decline a side dish, expect the cook to change your mind at the pickup window: “Are you sure I can’t make you something?”

Golden brown broiled flounder with a side of shrimp and mashed potatoes at Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café in Nags Head. Photo: Contributed

Basnight’s Lone Cedar Café

7623 S. Virginia Dare Trail, Nags Head

The all-hands-on-deck Basnight family, including commercial crabber Vicki Basnight, opened the restaurant in 1996 to uplift the region’s seafood industry during a challenging period of high fuel prices and increased imports undercutting the domestic seafood supply. The local catch remains central in dishes like Wanchese clam chowder and seasonal lump crab cakes, as well as on an “Outer Banks Traditions” menu, keeping year-rounders loyal, even during the busy tourist season.

Bay Brothers Seafood

100 Jean St., Plymouth

You could mistake Bay Brothers’ simple, red brick building for an industrial plant instead of seafood central. Locals come for live hard and soft N.C. blue crabs (a soft-shell crab shedding operation occupies the back), lump crab meat and various fish and shellfish. Tables in the middle of the immaculate market are where neighbors tuck into uncomplicated seafood specials like she-crab soup, tuna salad and broiled, Old Bay garlic butter shrimp.

White Point Take-Out

101 Core Sound Loop Road Ext., Atlantic

This itty-bitty gray cottage tucked within a residential neighborhood has a single take-out window serving fried-to-order seafood like shrimp burgers and soft-shell crab sandwiches, with a side of crinkle-cut fries. Eat on picnic tables under twisty, old live oak trees. Hours vary but the owner reports that for summer 2024, the window opens at 11 a.m. and closes by 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and by 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Wild Will’s Revenge

1015 Morris Marina Road, Atlantic

The hashtag #coresounders and family commercial fishing photos on Wild Will’s Instagram tell you it’s worth the drive to far-flung Atlantic. Grandchildren of esteemed community and fishing industry leader, the late Billy Smith, have Down East roots dating to the 1700s. They named the restaurant for their late father, William Ellis Smith, who ran the original Wild Will’s 20 years ago in nearby Harkers Island. The kitchen serves whatever’s fresh, like jumbo-lump, blue crab cakes. Specials might spotlight heritage recipes such as corned spots in fall and fluffy Down East light rolls. Hours are limited, usually Friday and Saturday starting at 5 p.m.

The Spot Grill

202 Wellons Drive, Beaufort

You’ll leave the pine-paneled dining room wearing the delicious perfume of fried mahi, soft-shell crab, flounder or whatever’s fresh (sometimes conch stew) even if you don’t sit at the counter that’s practically inside the wide-open, galley kitchen. The lingering aroma is a pleasant memory of seafood cooked to order with a side of eavesdrop-worthy conversations about everything relevant in the community. Lunch only and cash only, but there’s an ATM inside.

The Rose family of commercial fishers, including Heather Rose, harvest seafood for and operate Blackbeard’s Grill and neighboring Rose Seafood Market in Beaufort. Photo: Contributed

Blackbeard’s Grill

1644 Live Oak St., Beaufort

The Rose family of commercial fishers operates Blackbeard’s next door to its seafood market. Cross your fingers that the specials menu features North River clams, harvested nearby and smothered in garlic butter, white wine and parmesan. Pray, too, for the Local’s Supper of fresh shrimp and speckled trout with crispy okra and sweet potato casserole and a plate of Harkers Island soft-shell crabs fried according to Aunt Dora’s recipe.

Make fast friends with fellow seafood lovers at the lively oyster bar and dining room at Jordan’s Smokehouse & Seafood in Swansboro. Photo: Contributed

Jordan’s Smokehouse & Seafood

129 Phillips Loop Road, Swansboro

You know the fried sea mullet is fresh when you ask if it’s local and the server replies, “I caught it myself last night.” Arrive early to sit among regulars who don’t mind traveling from the other side of Onslow County for the old-timey oyster bar vibe. Forget being shy. Everyone talks to everyone like they’ve known each other all their lives. In many cases, they have.

Sneads Ferry, N.C.’s original Riverview Café started in 1946 as a small store with an oyster bar around back. Now a full restaurant, it remains a locals’ favorite. Photo: Contributed

Riverview Café

119 Hall Point Road, Sneads Ferry

Sneads Ferry is no longer a tiny fishing village, but it still feels that way at this waterfront restaurant owned by the same family since 1946. Riverview started as an oyster bar behind a store with a single gas pump. All that’s changed but the fresh seafood hasn’t, including shrimp harvested on the family trawler. The whiteboard lists so many specials you have to walk up to read it. Fantail shrimp, bang bang shrimp, peel-and-eats, whole flounder, deviled crab, steamed clams and homemade pie baked from treasured family recipes.

Come blue crab season, fans line up for steamers at Seaview Crab Co. Kitchen in Wilmington. Photo: Liz Biro

Seaview Crab Co. Kitchen

1515 Marstellar St, Wilmington

Lunchtime is crush time, but moms from the neighborhood, workers in uniform and the guy who just needs a break from his honey-do list wait patiently for orders. They’re quick to share picnic table seats mere steps away from iced-down seafood. Steamed blue crabs and overstuffed fried fish sandwiches are legendary. No matter what you select, expect fellow diners to swoon over your plate. “I almost got that,” they’ll lament. Fortunately, there’s always next time to try and decide between specials like fresh-shucked clam chowder and seared tuna bao buns with gochujang mayo.

New Reporting Rule for Anyone Who Recreationally Harvests Red Drum, Flounder, Speckled Trout, Striped Bass, and Weakfish

 I guess the real question is who and how closely will they be watching? This has been in place for some time for commercial fishermen and that information has not been anywhere near accurate if you review tax records. Will the information be accurate enough to make regulatory decisions that will increase our fisheries populations and not inhibit recreational or commercial fishermen substantially in their catch or season. This article came from the Wilmington Star-News

Reporting rule for NC recreational fishermen gets delayed. Here's when it'll start.

The rule, will require recreational fishermen to report landing of several popular saltwater fish species, including flounder and striped bass.

Gareth McGrath USA TODAY NETWORK

North Carolina's recreational fishermen will have a year reprieve from having to report their catches of several popular fish species to state regulators.

But the requirement, which has proven unpopular with fishermen and even state officials, isn't going anywhere.

The new rule requires that anyone who recreationally harvests red drum, flounder, speckled trout, striped bass, and weakfish in the state's coastal or inland waters must report that harvest to the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF).

Additionally, the law requires anyone holding a commercial fishing license who is engaged in a commercial fishing operation to report all fish harvested to DMF, regardless of sale.

The requirement was originally scheduled to come into effect Dec. 1, but it will now be delayed until December 2025 after Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper declined to veto or sign the Senate bill that included the catch-reporting delay language.

The original House bill that included the reporting language also was vetoed by Cooper, who expressed concerns about a host of provisions in the regulatory reform legislation. But the governor's veto was overridden by Republicans who have super majorities in both chambers of the N.C. General Assembly.

More paperwork

The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) and DMF are still working out all the fine details. But according to a DMF informational posting on the new rules, recreational fishermen would be required to report how many fish were caught, when they were caught, the area where they were harvested, and the type of gear used.

While nearly everyone admits the new requirements will mean more red tape and potential headaches for fishermen, the hope is it will eventually provide regulators with better data.

That's vital since both recreational and commercial fishermen often question the accuracy of information scientists use to determine catch quotas and harvest windows, especially with popular sought-after species like flounder. State fisheries officials have faced enormous criticism in recent years as they have shortened the recreational flounder window from a year-round open season just a few years ago to only two weeks in 2023 and a complete closure in 2024 − even as some fishermen report seeing large and healthy flounder populations in coastal waters.

FRUSTRATED FISHERMEN:NC recreational anglers go political in fight over flounder closure

The potential impacts of climate change, especially when it comes to rising sea temperatures, on fishing species' distributions and populations also is a growing concern for marine scientists.

As the plan goes now, fishermen would report the information to regulators via a web-based tool, scanning a QR code that would take them to the DMF website. Future plans call for developing a specific smartphone app. Anglers without a smartphone or internet connection while fishing would be able to print a report card prior to heading out.

"You will then have until midnight the day following harvest to submit your information electronically," states the DMF website.

The reporting system will be funded through a one-time $5 million state appropriation to DMF − although implementing the program is likely to cost a lot more. There also are currently no additional state funds to supplement the 100 or so enforcement officers WRC and DMF currently employ.

Penalties for non-reporting would be phased in over three years. In the first year, only verbal warning will be issued to non-reporters. In the second year, law enforcement would be allowed to issue violators warning tickets. Fines of $35 per offense, along with possible fishing license suspensions, would follow in the third year.

The requirement that North Carolina recreational fishermen have to report the landing of several popular sports fish species has been delayed a year and now won't come into effect until Dec. 1, 2025.

Filling data gaps?

Among the groups that supports the new reporting requirement is the N.C. Marine and Estuary Foundation, a relatively new nonprofit group whose aim is to rebuild the state's coastal resources.

The group lists the new harvest reporting policy as one of its "highlights" of 2023, noting that the foundation worked alongside state legislators and various conservation partners to get it passed.

"This groundbreaking legislation was passed by the N.C. General Assembly on Sept. 22 (2023) and is expected to fill longstanding commercial and recreational data gaps to better understand how fish are harvested from our coastal waters," the foundation states on its website.

But the Coastal Conservation Association of N.C., which represents the interests of the state's recreational saltwater anglers, previously said it has multiple concerns about the new requirements, including how effective it will be in recording all catches, its reliance on technology to gather data, weak penalties for violators, and how an already overstretched law enforcement force will police it.

"We certainly support the concept of better data collection that would lead to better management, but we are not sure this system gets us there," said David Sneed, executive director of the state chapter.

According to the latest state data, North Carolina sold nearly 500,000 fishing licenses to in-state and out-of-state anglers in 2022.

State regulators have said they didn't request the new reporting requirements.

But they did push for the one-year delay in its adoption to allow officials to get the word out about the new rule, educate fishermen on how to comply with the requirement, and allow any tweaks to be ironed out with the new reporting system.

Reporter Gareth McGrath can be reached at GMcGrath@Gannett.com or @GarethMcGrathSN on X/Twitter. This story was produced with financial support from the Green South Foundation and the Prentice Foundation. The USA TODAY Network maintains full editorial control of the work.