The following press release details the latest effort to get relief for NJ fishermen from ASMFC quota cuts and consequent regulations that will virtually eliminate summer flounder fishing with a 19-inch minimum.   Pallone and Bipartisan Members of NJ Delegation Call on Commerce Secretary to Stop Summer Flounder Quota Cuts LONG BRANCH, NJ - This week, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and a bipartisan group from the New Jersey Congressional delegation sent a letter to U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross regarding the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission's (ASMFC) vote to approve devastating restrictions on New Jersey's fishing community. The Congressmen asked Ross to delay any reductions or changes in summer flounder fishing quotas until a new stock assessment can be completed and a new approach can be crafted. Under the rule, the summer flounder Acceptable Biological Catch (ABC) would be reduced 29% in 2017 and 16% in 2018. The recreational and commercial limits would both be reduced by approximately 30% in 2017 and 16% in 2018.  In addition to Pallone, the letter was signed by Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Reps. Frank LoBiondo (NJ-02), Chris Smith (NJ-04), Tom MacArther (NJ-03), Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Bill Pascrell (NJ-09), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Donald Payne, Jr. (NJ-10), Leonard Lance (NJ-07), and Rodney P. Frelinghuysen (NJ-11). Pallone has long been a supporter of fisheries and the economies of coastal communities. Last week, Pallone announced that he will soon be introducing a bipartisan bill with Rep. LoBiondo to prevent the 2017 and 2018 summer flounder quotas for recreational and commercial fishing from going into effect.  In December, Pallone appeared before the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council to reiterate his opposition to NOAA's quota reductions because of the harm they would cause New Jersey coastal communities. It's good to see our senator's joining in this effort. Hopefully, Ross will overlook the fact that they just voted against his confirmation. They can't do worse than what a similar letter to the Obama administration Secretary of Commerce accomplished -- as she just ignored it. The World Fishing & Outdoor Expo at Rockland Community College in Suffern, N.Y. concludes Sunday, as does the Atlantic City Boat Show at the Convention Center. Hard northwest winds have kept party boats in port, but the Ocean Explorer from Belmar plans to make their first cod trip on Sunday.