Letter to the Hon. Penny Pritzker, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the Hon. Kathryn Sullivan, Administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - Quota Allocations for Summer Flounder

Letter

Dear Secretary Pritzker and Administrator Sullivan:

I am writing today regarding the draft 2017-2018 quota allocations for summer flounder (fluke) that were recently discussed at the Mid Atlantic Fishery Management Council's (MAFMC) December meeting. It has come to my attention that MAFMC and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a final rule with major reduction in the Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) for both the recreational and commercial summer flounder fishery quotas for 2017-2018. I also understand that this decision is based off the last full summer flounder benchmark assessment which was completed in 2013 and a new benchmark assessment has been delayed since 2015. These reductions would have a major impact on the livelihoods of many New York fishermen both recreationally and commercially, as well as the shore-side businesses that rely on this important fishery. Therefore, I urge you to revisit and amend the final rule to the current 2016 quota levels until a new summer flounder benchmark assessment is completed, which will help ensure that decisions of this magnitude are based off the best and most up to date science.

As you know, summer flounder represents a vital fishery for the eastern coast of the United States, especially New York, for its many constituencies, from recreational and charter fishing families, to commercial fishermen who rely on fluke to help support their families and communities. With New York holding only 7.65 percent of the overall Mid-Atlantic States' commercial quota, an additional 29 percent cut in 2017 and a 16 percent cut in 2018 would be devastating to the many communities who rely on this important fishery to survive. Decisions of this magnitude should be based solely upon the most up to date science data & models, which is why it is imperative that you complete a new summer flounder benchmark assessment as quickly as possible but no later than 2017.

Furthermore, current and up-to-date science is crucial to ensuring the conservation and continued sustainability of not only summer flounder, but all our Mid-Atlantic species. According to the Northeast Fisheries Science Center (NEFSC) workshop calendar, the last summer flounder benchmark stock assessment workshop was in 2013. As I am sure you are aware, these benchmark assessments should take place every three years. New data, models, and papers, all with which could bring new science to the table, cannot be admitted unless at a Stock Assessment Workshop (SAW) SAW/ Stock Assessment Review Committee (SARC). As the three year anniversary of the last SAW has passed, and it is rumored that the new benchmark may be delayed until 2018, I implore you to place summer flounder on the schedule for a full SAW/SARC no later than 2017.

Again, I urge you to complete a new summer flounder benchmark assessment as quickly as possible, while holding off on the proposed 2017-2018 quota reductions until the new benchmark is completed. This will ensure that decisions as important as these are made with the most up-to-date science available. I look forward to working with you on these very important issues.

Sincerely,

Charles E. Schumer
United States Senator

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