Geographic Variation in Summer Flounder Demographics

Differences in size at age by sex, time period and area can influence the selectivity of a fishery operating under time, area and gear restrictions. It can also influence the assessment of population status when the data is derived from these fisheries and when fisheries assessment models do not account for such differences. Data from NMFS survey and commercial landings were examined to determine if differences exist in summer flounder observed size at age by sex, time period and area. Significant differences were found in the data and the consequences for status quo and alternative assessment approaches were explored. Challenges exist for scientists and managers when changing patterns in certain components of the data (such as a survey) are found, but not all the information needed for a complete assessment (such as the identification of sex by species in fishery landings) is available.