Yellowtail Flounder is a fast growing flatfish that produces
many young and reaches a maximum size of 22 inches and 2 lbs.
Yellowtail Flounder occur in the Northwest Atlantic from
northern Newfoundland to the lower part of the Chesapeake Bay.
There are three New England management areas for Yellowtail
Flounder, and all three populations are overfished with very low
abundance. There are also three management areas in Canadian
waters, with at least one population healthy in size. Bottom
trawls are the primary fishing gear Used to catch Yellowtail
Flounder, which can substantially impact the seafloor and
benthic community (the creatures that live on the seafloor.)
There is a moderate amount of bycatch caught in the various
Yellowtail Flounder fisheries. One Yellowtail Flounder fishery
on the Grand Banks has earned Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)
certification.