Maryland State Record Yellowedge Grouper |
Saltwater Fishing News
News, events, and other articles related to recreational and commercial saltwater fishing in the USA and Canada.
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Maryland State Record Yellowedge Grouper
Friday, May 31, 2024
2024 North Carolina Southern Flounder Season Closed
Southern Flounder | Credit: NOAA Fisheries |
To preserve the resource, the North Carolina recreational season for southern flounder will not open in 2024, according to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Marine Fisheries Commission.
In order to preserve the southern flounder resource, the North Carolina recreational flounder season will not open for harvest in 2024.
Estimates from 2023 indicate the recreational catch exceeded the quota allowed under a stock rebuilding plan that was included in Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan and adopted by the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission.
The Commission lists the status of southern flounder as overfished and overfishing is occurring.
Amendment 3 to the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan, adopted by the Commission in 2022, set quotas for the recreational and commercial fisheries, based on scientific data, to end overfishing and rebuild the stock. There is a pound-for-pound payback if either sector goes over its quota.
During it's quarterly business meeting, the Marine Fisheries Commission received an update on the recreational quota available for a recreational founder 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 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 holding a 2024 recreational season but ultimately did not move forward with that approach.
Fisheries managers predict that, following Amendment 3 and not opening the 2024 recreational flounder season, combined with the increased recreational quota in 2025, should allow enough quota for a recreational season next year.
North Carolina’s southern flounder fisheries are managed under the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 3.
For more information on the management measures, visit the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission website (www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries) and see the Southern Flounder Information Page under Hot Topics.
Saturday, April 20, 2024
Tuna Facts
Longfin Albacore Tuna |
This article contains an assortment of information about tuna species including Atlantic bluefin, skipjack, yellowfin, and longfin albacore.
Western Atlantic bluefin tuna are the largest of the Atlantic tuna species. They can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
Bluefin have a lifespan of 20 years or more, and generally don’t spawn until they are 8 years old.
On May 27, 2011, NOAA announced that Atlantic bluefin tuna currently do not warrant species protection under the Endangered Species Act.
In 2011, an angler set a North Carolina state record for Atlantic bluefin tuna by catching an 805 pound, 8 ounce fish off Oregon Inlet.
Also in 2011, a North Carolina state record blackfin tuna was caught off Wrightsville Beach.
A bluefin tuna tagged by Captain Al Anderson was recaptured after 16 years.
Pacific bluefin tuna are the largest species of tuna in the Pacific. Adults can reach nearly 10 feet in length and 990 pounds, with an average lifespan of 15 years.
Yellowfin tuna are distinguishable from other tunas by their long, yellow dorsal fin and a yellow stripe along their sides.
Yellowfin tuna are fast-growing and can weigh up to 400 pounds.
Skipjack tuna are identified by stripes along their lower body, and a faint lateral line running lengthwise down each side. Their back is dark purplish blue.
Skipjack tuna grow fast and can weigh up to 40 pounds. They have a relatively short life span of around 7 years.
2022 Saltwater Fishing Statistics - NOAA FEUS Report
The report is the 17th volume in this annual series, and the first in this shorter format, and covers the years 2013 to 2022.
The annual Fisheries Economics of the United States (FEUS) report provides details regarding contributions of U.S. fisheries to the nation's economy.
The report contains a variety of information related to recreational saltwater fishing in the USA, including economic impacts of recreational fishing, saltwater angler expenditures, recreational fishing catch, effort, and participation rates, regional management, and other topics.
The annual FEUS report is one of three produced each year on the status of national marine fisheries. The other two reports are: Status of Stocks and Fisheries of the United States.
The short format FEUS report is accompanied by a new NOAA Fisheries new data tool - Fisheries One Stop Shop (FOSS).
Related Information
Monday, February 19, 2024
Louisiana Bowfishing Permit 2024
In Louisiana, a recreational saltwater bowfishing permit for both the private and charter sectors of the recreational fishery will be required beginning January 1, 2024.
The permit is free of charge and will be valid one year from the date issued. The permit can be obtained only online through the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) website.
Individuals 18 years of age or older taking, or attempting to take saltwater recreational fish with bowfishing gear in the waters of Louisiana, or engaging in bowfishing activity below the saltwater line will be required to hold this mandatory permit.
Any person on a charter bowfishing trip, who pays a fee for that trip, is not required to have this permit, but the permit is required for the captain of that charter vessel.
The permit is being implemented in order to effectively manage saltwater recreational species, according to LDWF.
The free permit can be received by visiting: https://ldwf.wlf.la.gov/bowp
source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries