Freelance journalist Nancy Phillips interviewed Texas Fish & Game Executive Editor Chester Moore about his long-standing work with southern flounder conservation and what which direction the fishery is headed.
Here is a transcript of the interview granted to TF&G.

                                                                  

Nancy Phillips (NP): You have been into flounder conservation a long time haven't you?

Chester Moore (CM): Oh yes, actively for 13 years and interested in the subject for decades.

NP: How did is start?

CM: As detailed in a story, I wrote for Tide magazine last year it started when I learned what bycatch is and for those reading this that might not be familiar with that term it is the incidental catch of other marine organisms in directed fisheries. In this case, we are dealing with shrimping bycatch, which results in the killing of up to five pounds of flounder and other creatures per pound of shrimp landed. I saw a baby flounder in a box of shrimp and my Dad taught me a valuable lesson by explaining how it ended up there and that was the reason our flounder fishery was hurting. That and missing an absolutely massive flounder right at the boat a few years later translated to me writing two books on flounder, more than 200 total magazine articles on these magnificent fish and more than 200 combined newspaper and magazine stories on flounder conservation dating back to 1996. That's not even to mention all of the seminars and radio broadcast. In case you can't tell, it gets me fired up! (laughs)

NP: The reason we are talking today is there are flounder regulation change proposals on the table in Texas. Are you happy about this?

CM: Oh, absolutely. It has been a long, long time coming and although I may not end up being happy with everything that is done to protect flounder, in the end the resource will benefit and that is what is most important.

NP: What specifically are you talking about?

  CM: The Texas Parks & Wildlife Department (TPWD) is looking at some sort of closure during the fall run. I am for closing it to gigging only, which would in and out of itself have an enormous impact in allowing many thousands of flounder to make it to Gulf spawning grounds. As I wrote in the upcoming February edition of Texas Fish & Game magazine, I support the Coastal Conservation Association (CCA) stance on banning gigging only during any closure and letting the hook and line fishery continue. Flounder migrating along shorelines and through passes in the fall are easy targets for giggers, and they are nearly all spawning-age females. Current TPWD statistics show giggers are getting far more fish per trip than rod and reel anglers are, with around 4.4 per trip versus 1.3 respectively.

I liken the current situation to TPWD allowing anglers to use spear guns and bowfishing gear for largemouth bass during the spawn. Bedding bass would be easy pickings for anglers in shallow draft boats with lights, wouldn't they?

As ludicrous as it might seem, the only difference between the above scenario and the status quo gigging situation is largemouth populations are at record highs and flounder are at record lows. And of course that is something we should think about.

NP: And what about commercial fishing?

CM: It is important a closure would include commercial flounder fishing efforts both from giggers and shrimpers who can sell a portion of their bycatch. Last year, 92 commercial finish license holders reported taking slightly less flounder than the combined catch of 800,000 recreational saltwater anglers did. Allowing so few to have such an enormous impact is unacceptable in a fishery down as much as the flounder fishery. Recreational gigging, on the other hand, is a unique situation fostered by a respect for tradition in our state. By utilizing some sort of seasonal gigging closure, we will eliminate a great vulnerability of the species but still allow this long-standing custom to continue most of the year.

NP: So, you're not for banning ALL gigging?

CM: Look, I'm the last person that is for banning anything and I am on record with my opinion on these kinds of issues more than probably anyone. I am not for banning all flounder gigging now because I don't think it is necessary. However, a closure during the fall run is I believe necessary and will help the fishery tremendously.

NP: What about rod and reel fishermen?

CM: We're guilty of having an impact on the resource as well which is why I am fine with a bag limit cut to five. I always thought it was ridiculous we can keep only three redfish and they are mass produced by the tens of millions and released and are at record levels yet you can keep 10 flounder, which everyone knows is hurting. I am against a closure for rod and reel anglers also because it puts us on a dangerous, slipper slope toward closures in other fisheries and many lower income anglers get in their best fishing in the fall run. They need to be thought of on this issue and others just as much as spoiled individuals like myself who can fish wherever they want.

NP: You mentioned redfish stocking. Haven't you had involvement with flounder production?

CM: Yes I have. I have been working with the state to try to get a flounder-stocking program going since 1998 by helping organizing flounder roundups and promoting their Gulf Coast Roundup program, which eventually segued into the Texas Bay Teams event where anglers donate live fish to hatcheries. We have also organized private roundups where hundreds of flounder and speckled trout have been donated to Sea Center Texas in Lake Jackson. This year Bryan Treadway who does a tournament at Chocolate Bayou in Galveston helped organize one there where they brought in I believe 26 flounder for the hatchery and helped raise over $600 for a special fund I have set up with the TPWD Commission that goes directly into flounder conservation. I donated $1,200 this year from my flounder book royalties and an award I received for a total of just over $1,800. That money was used to buy hormone-inducing agents for the flounder at Sea Center.

NP: Has this work been rewarding for you?

CM: Oh yes, very much so. I am big into putting my money where my mouth is and being active in conservation because I really do care for the resource. The Bible tells us we should be good stewards of our resources and I take that to heart. Sometimes that means you take some hits, make some people mad and work a long time before seeing results. However, this is a vision I have had for many years and seeing all of the attention being paid to flounder is beyond words.  It's a dream come true and it has inspired me to work at a whole new level for flounder.

NP: How so?

CM: Let's just say the comeback of the flounder has just begun and there are things special about this fishery that have yet to be exploited. And when I say, "exploited" I mean for the benefit of the flounder and the anglers. I call this the Flounder Revolution and it begins now.

NP: What is the Flounder Revolution?

CM: The best way to find out is to go to http://www.flounderrevolution Jan. 1, 2009 for details myspace.com/texasflounder. Let's just say flounder could be a real saving grace for the saltwater fishery in many ways in these tough economic times and there are ways to combine true conservation and participation in the fishery. Some of it might seem a bit out there for now, but hey it's me after all and I am always thinking 10 years ahead. To lead you have to look at today's realities and tomorrow's possibilities and make the best of both. I will say this, everyone will have to admit we're breaking new ground and the flounder will benefit tremendously.