Interstate Fisheries Management

Winter flounder, Pseudopleuronectes americanus, are an important commercial and recreational fish throughout New England and the Mid-Atlantic, although both fisheries are at a fraction of their historic levels. Inshore habitat degradation and overfishing have contributed to serious stock declines throughout the species’ range. However, efforts of the Atlantic coastal states and the New England Fishery Management Council (Council) to reduce fishing mortality and identify essential habitat have allowed stocks to begin to recover. The Gulf of Maine (GOM) stock has shown the greatest improvement, with the current estimate of spawning stock biomass well above the target established in the federal plan. The Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) stock, however, still has a long way to go. The Commission amendment, currently under development, will seek to continue the recovery of the GOM stock and to rebuild the SNE/MA stock. <species profile> <stock status> <habitat fact sheet>

Contacts Christopher M. Vonderweidt, FMP Coordinator Management Board Chair, Pat Augustine Technical Committee Chair, Steve Correia Advisory Panel Chair, Bud Brown		Management Plans & Actions Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Managment Plan for Inshore Stocks of Winter Flounder (November 2005) Fishery Management Plan for Inshore Stocks of Winter Flounder (May 1992) Addendum I (May 1992) Addendum II (February 1998) * Previous plans and addenda can be found at Fishery Management Reports or by contacting the Commission at (202)289-6400.
Upcoming Meetings		Annual Reports FMP Reviews 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 Stock Assessment Reports State-by-State Regulations
Pending Actions for Public Input		Meeting & Minutes Summaries
Press Releases ASMFC Winter Flounder Board Approves State Implementation Plans: Plans Pave Way for Rebuilding of SNE/MA Stock (May 11, 2005) ASMFC Approves Winter Flounder Amendment 1 (February 10, 2005) States Schedule Public Hearings on Winter Flounder Recreational & Commercial Management Measures (December 1, 2004) ASMFC Seeks Public Comment on Winter Flounder Recreational & Commercial Management Measures (November 11, 2004) States Schedule Hearings on Winter Flounder Amendment 1: Public Comment Accepted until August 13, 2004 (June 23, 2004)