Summer Flounder 2009 Quota Distribution Plan
The 2009 quota allocation provided by the United States Department of Commerce, National Marine Fisheries Service to the State of New York is 821,019 pounds. The Hook and Line fishery is allocated 39,000 pounds. DEC's proposed quota distribution plan for summer flounder in 2009 is as follows:
| Dates | Quota (lbs) | Initial Trip Limit (lbs) | Trigger | Second Trigger | Trip Limit after Trigger (lbs) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Period 1 | January 18 - February 21 | 132,522 | 350 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Period 2 | March - April | 106,117 | 140 | 50% or April 15 | N/A | 70 |
| Period 3 | May - July | 220,030 | 70 | 50% | 75% | 50/30 |
| Period 4 | August - October | 220,030 | 70 | 50% | 75% | 50/30 |
| Period 5 | November | 70,002 | 70 | |||
| December | 33,318 | TBD | ||||
| Hook and Line | May - October | 39,000 | 70 | |||
| Total | 821,019 |
Provisions of the quota distribution plan--
- Trip limits will be utilized to spread quota allocation over each period and to avoid closures if possible.
- Initial period trip limits will be set at modest levels. A percent of the period's assigned quota share is set as a trigger to indicate the need to reduce fishing effort and remain within the period quota. When the period landings reach the stated trigger, trip limits will be lowered to avoid over-harvest.
- If there is a year-end over-harvest that results in a deduction in the state's quota share for the following year, the deduction will be taken proportionately from each period for which the assigned quota was exceeded.
- Overharvest/underharvest from Period 1 will be deducted from/added to Period 5 November only. Overharvest/underharvest from Periods 2 through 4 will be rolled into the next period.
- Any over or under harvest from Period 4 will roll into Period 5. Currently, the Fishery Management Plan does not allow for one year's unused quota to be rolled over to the next year.
- 70% of the increase in quota (77,742 pounds) from 2008 to 2009 was equally distributed among Periods 3 and 4. 30% of the increase (33,318 pounds) will be assigned exclusively to the month of December.
- DEC may adjust this quota distribution plan if the level of harvest is different from what was projected to ensure mazimum utilization of the summer flounder resource and prevent the state allocation from being exceeded.
- The final 2009 quota allocation is subject to change by adjustments made by the National Marine Fisheries Service.
The quota distribution plan will take effect on January 1, 2009 and will remain in effect until January 1, 2010 or until determined otherwise. The purpose of this distribution is to fully utilize the available quota for the maximum benefit to New York's fishery and to minimize the likelihood of a closure.
