Amendment 2
On Aug. 23, 2019, the N.C. Marine Fisheries Commission adopted the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan Amendment 2 as proposed by the Division of Marine Fisheries, giving the director of the Division of Marine Fisheries flexibility with the commercial and recreational seasons so long as they meet the statutorily required harvest reductions.
The Division of Marine Fisheries issued proclamations that closed the commercial and recreational seasons on Sept. 4, 2019. A proclamation was issued to reopen the commercial flounder season Sept. 15, 2019 and the season closed per the same proclamation. By proclamation, the 2020 commercial southern flounder season will open and close per the dates below. The minimum size limit will remain at 15 inches total length. Click here to go to the proclamations page. - Sept. 15 to Oct. 6 in the Northern Management Area, which includes Albemarle, Roanoke, and Croatan sounds and their tributaries;
- Oct. 1 to Oct. 19 in the Central Management Area, which includes Pamlico Sound, and the Tar, Pamlico, Neuse, and Pungo rivers and their tributaries;
- Oct. 1 to Nov. 2 in the Southern Management Area, which includes Core Sound and all internal coastal waters from Core Sound south to the North Carolina/South Carolina border.
The 2020 recreational flounder season will be Aug. 16 through Sept. 30 for internal and ocean waters of the state. The minimum size limit will remain at 15 inches total length, and the creel limit will remain at four fish per person per day during the open recreational season. Since all species of flounder are managed under the same recreational regulations, the recreational season applies to all recreational flounder fishing. Click here to go to the proclamations page.
Amendment 2 contained short-term management measures (seasons) that meet the statutory requirements; however, the approval of Amendment 2 specified the development of Amendment 3 to begin immediately to implement more comprehensive, long-term management measures to achieve sustainable harvest. 2020 commercial flounder season announced
(June 15, 2020)
2020 recreational flounder season announced
(Feb. 25, 2020)
Marine Fisheries Commission approves flounder season closure, denies petition for rulemaking
(Aug. 28, 2019)
Southern Flounder FMP Amendment 2 Summary
(Sept. 2019)
Southern Flounder FMP Amendment 2
(Sept. 23, 2019) |
Amendment 3 Scoping Period
The N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries held a public scoping period Dec. 4-18, 2019 to solicit public comments on potential management strategies for Amendment 3. The primary management strategy for Amendment 3 is long-term sustainable harvest in the southern flounder fishery. A scoping document outlining the potential management strategies has been developed for the public.
Fisheries stakeholders provided in-person comments at three scoping meetings that were held in December in Morehead City, Wilmington, and Manteo. Beginning Dec. 4, comments were also submitted through the division’s website through an online form or by mail. Amendment 3 is currently under development.
Scoping Document: Management Strategies for Amendment 3
(Feb. 2020) Public Comment has Closed
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