As a father of two young boys, fishing is an inexpensive and rewarding way to experience Florida’s natural beauty

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I have chosen the above research question due to my interest in fishing. As a father of two young boys, fishing is an inexpensive and rewarding way to experience Florida’s natural beauty. The beach seems like an endless playground for children, and fishing offers an instant reward. There are three main fish that we target from the shore here in Jacksonville: Red Drum, Speckled Sea Trout, and the Southern Flounder—catching any of those three fish results in a delicious dinner for three on top of the satisfaction of catching a fish. As of March 1st, 2021, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) approved new regulations for harvesting the Southern Flounder, citing a declining fishery of the species. There is a debate as to whether recreational anglers or commercial fisheries are to blame for the decline. Another factor to consider is the effect of Flounder gigging on the fishery. The FWC and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have extensive research data on fish populations. The cause of the Flounder fishery decline is a feasible topic due to my personal interest, knowledge, and comprehensive data available on this subject. This research topic will contribute to the existing dialogue by reviewing the data to help determine if restricting flounder harvesting for recreational anglers is beneficial to the local flounder fisheries. Is it fair to continue to allow commercial fisheries to harvest Flounder if they are more of a cause to the declining population than recreational anglers?