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. The Southern New England/Mid-Atlantic (SNE/MA) winter flounder stock is at an all time low comparable to the state of striped bass biomass in the early 1980s. Retrospective patterns from the previous two winter flounder assessments significantly underestimated biomass and led managers to believe that the stock was healthier thanit was. The latest assessment, conducted by the Northeast Fisheries Science Center’s Groundfish Assessment Review Meeting (GARM III) in 2008 addressed this retrospective pattern for the first time and estimated the SNE/MA biomass to be at only 9% of its target. Management efforts are now focused on developing regulations that will achieve the lowest possible fishing mortality rate while minimizing economic andsocial impacts as well as dead discards.<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) Addendum I (May 2009) 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 2008 2007 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 Stock Assessment Reports 08 GARM (GOM) 08 GARM (SNE/MA) State-by-State Regulations
Pending Actions for Public Input		Meeting & Minutes Summaries
Press Releases Winter Flounder Board Approves Addendum I to Initiate Stock Rebuilding of Inshore Stocks (May 5, 2009) Winter Flounder Board Releases Draft Addendum I for Public Comment: States to Conduct Hearings in April (April 1, 2009) Winter Flounder Board Fast Tracks Development of Addendum to Initiate Stock Rebuilding of Inshore Stocks (February 5, 2009) 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)