In order to preserve the southern flounder resource, the North Carolina recreational flounder season will not open…

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.

Southern flounder is 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 May’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.  

Here is the data on the Recreational Sector, all values in pounds (MRIP = recreational angler survey):

2022—TAC 170,655; Adjusted TAC 170,655; MRIP Landings 166,091; Gig Landings 7,882; Total Landings 173,973; MRIP Dead Discard 52,771; Gig Dead Discard 251; Total Dead Discard 53,022; Total Catch 226,995; Overage Deducted from Next Year’s TAC 56,340.

2023—TAC 170,655; Adjusted TAC 114,315; MRIP Landings 166,091; Gig Landings* 7,882; Total Landings 200,050; MRIP Dead Discard 41,308; Gig Dead Discard* 251; Total Dead Discard 41,559; Total Catch 241,609; Overage Deducted from Next Year’s TAC 127,294.

2024—TAC 170,655; Adjusted TAC 43,361; MRIP Landings TBD; Gig Landings TBD; Total Landings TBD; MRIP Dead Discard TBD; Gig Dead Discard TBD; Total Dead Discard TBD; Total Catch TBD; Overage Deducted from Next Year’s TAC TBD.

*Estimated values from prior year.

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, see the Southern Flounder Information Page under Hot Topics at www.deq.nc.gov/about/divisions/marine-fisheries/hot-topics.

by Fish Poster