Current landing and dealer reporting information indicates that 10% of the commercial quota for the 2006 Winter I summer flounder (fluke) fishery will be reached by Monday, January 16, 2006. Therefore, effective at 0001 hours on Tuesday, January 17, 2006 commercial fishermen are prohibited from landing or possessing more than 100-lbs. of fluke during a 24-hour day. MarineFisheries is taking this action in accordance with 322 CMR 6.22.

In November of 2005, the Marine Fisheries Advisory Commission approved sub-dividing the winter-period fluke quota to better manage harvest within the 70/30 summer/winter quota split. The 30% winter quota was divided equally into a Winter I period (January 1 - April 22) and a Winter II period (November 1 – December 31). Fifteen percent of the overall quota is thus available during each individual winter period. Commercial fishermen are reminded that it is unlawful to land or possess fluke from 8:00 P.M. through 6:00 A.M.