Copy of Summer Flounder/Fluke Fast Facts
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YOFUISTH EERDUIECSATION FLUKE (SUMMER FLOUNDER) Poor Paralichthys dentatus Conservation Status "Poor" in NYS Range Map (fishbase.org) FACT ONE FACT TWO Fluke is a species of flatfish also known as The way to distinguish fluke and winter summer flounder. Some other names include flounder is by knowing if they are right or northern fluke or hirame. Fluke is a type of left - eyed. Fluke face left when their mouth flounder but this name helps distinguish it from points up and winter flounder face right the very similar Winter Flounder. when their mouth points up. FACT THREE FACT FOUR Like other flounder, fluke hide at the bottom Fluke is a valuable food fish and has remained a to catch prey. They are a lighter, more popular commercial and recreational catch for dappled brown than winter flounder. They hundreds of years. CCE Marine Program conducts also have “eye” spots patterned along their important applied research on fluke including body. They can change color to match dark discard mortality (how many fish survive after or light sediment they are lying in, too! being caught and thrown back). For more information about F.I.S.H. Initiative: https://www.localfish.org/ FISHERIES Overview Status Fluke are found in inshore and offshore Summer flounder are not overfished and are not waters from Nova Scotia, Canada, to the east subject to overfishing, according to the Atlantic coast of Florida along the East Coast of the States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC). United States. It is a left-eyed flatfish that However, the population of Fluke has decreased over lives 12 to 14 years. Males grow to more than the years and are being managed. CCE has done 2 feet in length and females grow up to 3 studies to help manage the Fluke stocks here on feet.They’re nicknamed “chameleons of the Long Island. By studying the ratio of males versus sea” because they’re able to change their females landed and their sizes, CCE was able to help coloring to blend in with the texture and color NYS DEC determine the correct size limit to allow for of the bottom where they live. Fluke have a the larger, egg-laying females to produce the most big mouth with sharp teeth unlike winter offspring and be kept in the population. flounder that have a smaller soft mouth with no teeth. Life History How You Can Help Fluke spawn in the fall and early winter. When Join CCE in their F.I.S.H. Initiative and eat locally its time, the larval fish lays on its side and caught, fresh fish. Go to www.localfish.org to find develops into a juvenile once its right eye more information on locations to purchase local moves across the top of its head to the left seafood near you and lots of recipes for this side. Fluke are opportunistic, ambush feeders delicious natural resource on Long Island! Buying and will mostly prey upon small fish and local caught fish also helps our ecomony and crustaceans that pass by unaware. They lie supports our fishermen. Keep this important local buried in the sand waiting for prey to come resource for future generations... Fresh. close, then jump up and swallow them whole! Indigenous. Sustainable. Healthy..