Terceiro, Mark

"This assessment of the summer flounder (Paralichthys dentatus) stock along the Atlantic coast (Maine to North Carolina) is an update through 2008 of commercial and recreational fishery catch data, research survey indices of abundance, and the analyses of those data. Reported 2008 landings in the commercial fishery were 4,143 mt, about 3% under the commercial quota. Commercial discard losses in the otter trawl and scallop dredge fisheries are estimated from fishery observer data and have recently accounted for 5%-10% of the total commercial catch, assuming a discard mortality rate of 80%. Estimated 2008 landings in the recreational rod-and-reel fishery were 3,584 mt, about 25% over the recreational harvest limit. Recreational discard losses have recently accounted for 15%-20% of the total recreational catch, assuming a discard mortality rate of 10%. Total commercial and recreational landings in 2008 were 7,727 mt, and total catch was estimated at 9,287 mt."--Executive summary.

National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)

Atlantic Coast (U.S.)