Maryland DNR Fisheries Service
2005 Volunteer Angler Summer Flounder Survey
Data Analysis
November 18, 2005
THE ANGLERS...
- 3,974 anglers fished
- 72 anglers reported
- Most were from MD, PA, DE
- 20% belong to an organization
THE FISH...
- 7,247 fish reported caught
- 4,593 fish measured
- Average length: 13½ inches
- The length distribution of the overall summer flounder catch has been steady for the past 4 years (2002-2005).
THE TRIPS...
- 527 trips reported: 496 trips along the Atlantic Coast (94%) and 31 trips in the Chesapeake Bay (6%)
- 58 skunked trips: 42 Atlantic coast trips (8%) and 16 Chesapeake Bay (52%)
USES OF THE DATA...
These data are used to calculate:
population length distribution;
perform creel (minimum size) analysis;
and guide the management approach for Atlantic vs. Chesapeake Bay populations.
In addition, these data can also be used to:
perform catch-at-age analysis, which gives us information about the population structure;
guide creel and minimum size limits;
provide a relative measure of population abundance (effort data);
and compare with federal harvest data.
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