Maryland Summer Flounder Season Update; New Size And Creel Limits Announced For 2005

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ANNAPOLIS — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service today announced the 2005 Maryland minimum sizes and creel limits for summer flounder. In the Atlantic and coastal bays, the minimum size will be 15.5 inches with a four-fish creel limit; in the Chesapeake Bay, the minimum size will be 15.0 inches with a two-fish creel limit. These sizes and limits take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Friday, April 1, 2005.

“The Fisheries Service thanks the many stakeholder groups and individuals who provided comment to DNR through public meetings and the survey on the Department's website,” said Howard King, Director of DNR’s Fisheries Service. “This stakeholder participation and process enables the Department to provide the best fishing opportunities for all members of Maryland’s recreational and commercial fishing communities.”

Recreational anglers and commercial harvesters of summer flounder have continued to enjoy the benefits of this rapidly rebuilding flounder stock along the Atlantic seaboard. These benefits are a direct result of the work of DNR’s fisheries biologists and others to conserve flounder, while still providing for angler enjoyment and economic return to Maryland.

The allowance for a smaller minimum size and lower creel limit for summer flounder caught recreationally in the Maryland portion of the Chesapeake Bay was approved by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Policy Board at their February meeting, after the Summer Flounder Technical Committee and Management Board had approved the 2005 options presented by Maryland. The Summer Flounder Interstate Fishery Management Plan allocates approximately 2 percent of the total allowable Atlantic coastal catch of summer flounder to the Maryland fishery, based upon the historical long-term catch.

Anglers are encouraged to visit DNR Online at any time for current minimum sizes and creel limits for all finfish and crabs, http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/regindex.html.

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March 10, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov