Mr. Colvin noted the meeting that will follow immediately follow this Council meeting to discuss State recreational fluke fishing regulations in 2002. New York’s 2001 recreational fluke catch was below the state’s recreational quota and the 2002 coastwide recreational fluke quota will be larger than the 2001 quota. If the fluke regulations do not change for 2002, it is estimated that New York recreational fluke catch would be 13% below the 2002 quota. Thus, New York may be able to relax its recreational fluke regulations in 2002. Mr. Colvin stated that there is no established process to evaluate the relative impacts of relaxing (as opposed to tightening) harvest regulations. The Department has developed alternative options on the impact of reducing the recreational fluke minimum size limit. A major concern is that the regulations not be relaxed to the point where the actual 2002 catch exceeds the State’s 2002 recreational fluke quota, because this would cause a penalty to be paid in 2003.

Discussing similar options for handling options for 2002 scup regulations is also part of this evening’s meeting with recreational fishermen.