NC H894

Requires the Marine Fisheries Commission to revise the Southern Flounder Fishery Management Plan to implement a slot limit allowing only 12-18 inch fish retention for both commercial and recreational fishermen.

Sets a total allowable landing quota of 532,352 pounds per year combined from commercial and recreational sectors until a new stock assessment permits harvest increases.

Mandates that landing quotas account for discards from all fisheries interacting with Southern Flounder, with quota overages in one year requiring sector reductions the following year.

Imposes an immediate moratorium on all Southern Flounder harvest and possession if a sustainable harvest is not achieved by the 2028 statutory deadline, lasting until stock recovery is confirmed by peer-reviewed assessment.

Appropriates $75,000 in nonrecurring funds for fiscal year 2021-2022 to the Division of Marine Fisheries to update the coastwide stock assessment for Southern Flounder.