July 8, 2015 — Flounder are fish enjoyed on many N.C. dinner tables, and their popularity is shared by recreational and commercial fishermen.

That popularity has brought many comments to N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries as the July 10 deadline arrives for public comment on six southern flounder management proposals approved for consideration during the Marine Fisheries Commission’s May meeting.

“We had a public meeting that about 150 people showed up at, and about 60 spoke, and we’ve received quite a few written comments,” said Patricia Smith, Marine Fisheries public information officer. “It’s a very important fish in North Carolina.”

Southern is one of three flounder species found in North Carolina.

Catch reduction options, increased size limits and gill net mesh restrictions are among measures being considered to help southern flounder recover from fishing pressure.

Read the full story at The News & Observer