All Fished Out
posted 5:38 pm Mon November 12, 2007 - Charleston
It's hard to imagine a fish fry without fresh fried flounder. We are nowhere close to that point, because of responsible fishing limits.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service wants to lower catch limits by about 1.5 million pounds for some species of fish next year, including flounder.
Everyone knows how important the shrimping industry is to the Lowcountry, but the proposed new regulations could send prices up at the market next year.
“Initially it will hurt the retailer, the wholesaler and the consumer, but I imagine in the long run, it'll probably help if we can get the stocks rebuilt,” said Bill Huff of Huffs Seafood.
The proposed lower catch limits will be applied to Crup, Black Sea Bass and Flounder, but the actual impact among fishermen could be worse in the Atlantic waters farther north.
“Most of our flounder really comes from North Carolina. That's where they can do most of the commercial fishing,” said Huff.
In addition to the targeted shrimp, Lowcountry shrimp fishers also unintentionally catch some other species of fish.
“When the commercial boats catch them, sometimes they're alive, and sometimes they're not. We try to save them. We throw back the flounder,” said Wayne Magwood of Magwood Seafood.
Magwood says that they have other difficulties with getting live flounder back in the ocean, like porpoises and gulls, but the responsibility lies elsewhere also.
“When you're a recreational fisherman, you can catch and release, and that's a great thing,” said Magwood
Both Huff and Magwood agree prices may nudge up a bit next year, but the long lasting impacts should be a benefit to the flounder population.
“Sustainable seafood, I guess it's a good thing. It's good to be recognized, because there are some fish that are over-fished,” said Magwood.
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