Flounders (Atlantic)

Summer flounder, Fluke; Winter flounder, Lemon sole, Blackback, dab; Witch flounder, Gray sole; Yellowtail flounder, Rusty flounder; Windowpane flounder, Sand dab

Flatfishes are a distinct group, consisting of eleven families, 123 genera and about 570 species worldwide. As the name implies, individuals in this order (Pleuronectiformes) generally lay flat, with skull development in the larval stage causing the migration of one eye around the head and distinct pigmentation between sides (bottom-facing side white, upwardfacing side pigmented for camouflage). Most commercially important flatfishes in the Atlantic are from the family Pleuronectidae (right-eye flounders), composed of 21 genera and 60 species, including witch, winter, and yellowtail flounder, American plaice and Atlantic halibut. Other important families are Paralichthyidae (lefteyed sand flounders, including summer flounder) and Scophthalmidae (windowpane flounder).

Most of the flatfishes discussed in this report have a relatively low age at maturity (<5 yrs, possibly with the exception of northerly ranging stocks), moderate (10-30 yrs) or unknown longevity, and a broad latitudinal range throughout the Atlantic Ocean basin. These species of flatfish, therefore, are considered “resilient” to fishing pressure.

The Southern New England-Middle Atlantic Basic (SNE/MAB) yellowtail flounder population has been heavily fished for over 70 years and is now considered severly depleted with no indications that they will rebuild to maximum sustainable yield by 2009.

As stocks are depleted in one area,effort is re-directed to new areas. This repetitive phenomenon is indicative of an overcapitalized fleet fishing on an ever-decreasing resource. Based on the enormous fishing pressure of the
current groundfish fleet, and the depressed state of most stocks, the stock status of these regions is Atlantic flounder stock status is a critical conservation concern.

Due to the mixed species nature of the Atlantic Groundfish fishery, as well as the gear type used(bottom/otter trawl), bycatch and subsequent discarding of unmarketable or otherwise illegal (e.g., undersized) species occurs frequently. In addition, trip limits, a management tool used to regulate catch, forces otherwise market-worthy fish to be discarded. Managers have mitigated this somewhat by increasing the allowable mesh size in the trawl gear, reducing the catch of smaller-sized fishes. There have been a small number of observed interactions with marine mammals and sea turtles in the trawl fisheries. In 2003, Fishery Observers on 590 trawling
(bottom otter) trips recorded a total of 21 interactions with marine mammals, and 4 interactions with sea turtles. According to the Multispecies Groundfish fisheries management plan, trawlers are required to report all discards via logbooks and use Bycatch Reduction Devices (BRDs) such as Nordmore grate and mesh panels. Observer coverage is only about 5%, however, so numbers of total discards may be underestimated. Overall bycatch in the Atlantic Groundfish fishery is considered a “moderate” concern.

Based on the published literature noting the adverse effects of trawling on the various habitat types where flounders are found, as well as the significant amount of fishing effort along the continental shelf over the last 50 years, it is reasonable to assume that trawling for flatfishes has significantly altered or damaged a large portion of the seabed and the ecosystem. The degree of
recovery from these actions is largely unknown and the effects of these fishing practices on habitats and ecosystems is ranked “severe”.

Managers of Northeastern Groundfish resources assess stocks on a timely basis (annually or semi-annually) and use both fisheries dependent and independent data to determine stock status and fishing levels. Managers require specific mesh sizes and gear types to reduce wasteful discard, as well as implement seasonal and permanent closure areas to reduce trawling impacts.
Management has not, however, prevented the extreme declines of many commercially important flatfishes, and is therefore considered only “moderately effective”.

What kind of fish is this?

Atlantic flounder has serious stock concerns and is fished with gear that is damaging to marine habitats.

Pacific Soles are a better choice, but still ranked as yellow or “Some Concerns”

Contaminant levels do not warrant a consumption advisory.

No. The Yellowtail Flounder Trawl Fishery is currently undergoing independent assessment against the MSC environmental standard for sustainable fishing.