[Ttmako]

Much like many of you on this site, I've willingly tried to believe in and abide by the rules that regulate what we like to do.
After throwing back gut hooked 16" fluke during the summer to loads of beautiful seabass last weekend, I've had enough.
I put my thoughts down on paper in the hope we can use this as some framework to stand up and change these stupid stupid regulations. It's long and kind of blunt so be prepared.
I'm convinced these folks truly want to eliminate recreational fishing. I don't know why, but when they forcefeed us regulations based on complete BS, I cannot draw any other conclusion.

1-Not all fisheries need to be managed. Since the proliferation of fisheries management more species are being put under regulation. However, the supposed benefit of these regulations has been difficult to prove. For example, a recent study proved that due to minimum size regulations recreational fisherman are forced to harvest mature breeding female fluke. Forcing the mature population to be removed is not sustainable.

2-Recreational fishermen are generally concerned about the fisheries in which we participate. As such we are happy to help shape and abide by simple rules that will prohibit abuse. Implementing reasonable bag limits is achievable and reasonable.

3-Once the fish are landed, they belong to the fisherman. They should be free to clean, donate, barter or sell the catch they legally possess.

4-Fisheries regulations change every year. The measures we are forced to adopt are not given a chance to work or take effect. Propose a grand bargain of new regulations that will be in force for a reasonable time period (5-10 years) in order to more accurately measure the impact.

5-Fisheries regulations are not equitable in their current form.
For example, due to a political compromise the fluke fishery was regionalized in 2014. New York State benefited from this change. However, New Jersey fishermen are now forced to watch as New York boats are able to catch and keep seabass and tautog. Both of these are essentially closed in New Jersey.
The Commercial size limit for fluke is 14”. In New Jersey the recreational size limit is higher. There needs to be fairness between the recreational and commercial fisherman.

6-The “science” being utilized to measure the population as well as the recreational catch are both in- adequate to make rules.
Fish swim and are not able to be counted. It is impossible to accurately ascertain the population of a fishery by using a few random trawls. Estimates are made but they are estimates and not stringent enough to make laws from.
The methodology to measure demand (MRIP) is clearly not accurate. It simply doesn’t work and must be changed.

7-Size limits should be eliminated. Current regulations require fisherman to keep breeding fish and throw away mortally wounded, perfectly edible smaller fish. Releasing a mortally wounded fish is immoral and not a sustainable practice. Propose that fisherman be allowed to keep fish that the angler believes will not survive. These mortally wounded fish will count towards their bag limit. For example:
Short fluke that are gut hooked will be kept and applied to bag limit. The hook needs to be in the fish.
Utilize slot limits on fish to ensure healthy breeding stocks are returned to spawn.

8-Fisheries regulators need to be cognizant of the calendar. In New Jersey, fishermen are unable to catch seabass and fluke. The bag limit for Tautog is 1 fish per angler. There should be overlap between fisheries. Close the fluke fishery but open seabass to provide anglers with more choice.