If you have a business that relies on the summer tourist traffic then you need to be aware of the changes in regulations that are being imposed on our visitors that come here to vacation and fish.
The new rules for Tau Tog were signed Mid February and became effective immediately. The option chosen was “8b”, which included a season closure from May 12-June 30 encompassing memorial day weekend  and from September 1 through September 29 encompassing labor day weekend.. The change in regulations. were necessary to meet the 25.6% coast wide harvest reduction mandated by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission.
Now we have a new set of proposals for the summer flounder fishery that could possibly also close it for Memorial day and Labor day weekends.
Options:
#1 - 2 fish @ 18.5″, CLOSED season 5/11 to 6/22, 322 day open season
#2 - 1 fish @ 19″ NO closed season
#3 - 4 fish @ 19″, CLOSED season 5/11 to 6/1, 343 day open season
#4 - 4 fish @ 19″, CLOSED season 8/24 to 12/31, 235 day open season
#5 - 4 fish @19.5″ NO closed season
A public meeting is being held at the Richardson Robinson Building 89 Kings Highway Dover on Thursday September 27 at 7:00PM and written comments will be accepted until April 2^nd. Send your comments to either of the following. I urge all comments to be for #5 so that we have no closure of flounder fishing in our state especially over the two biggest holidays of the year. No one will want to vacation here if we have no fishing signs posted on our beaches.
richard.cole@state.de.us
(302)739-9914

Roy Miller
Fisheries Administrator
302-739-9914
Roy.Miller@state.de.us

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