[dales529]

Having listened to most of the Fluke session (some 3.5 hrs) understand that any /all options at this point are subject to change once the 2016 Wave 5 Landing data comes in today or early next week.
Granted I don't expect much to change but the reduction mandate percentage will fluctuate up or down based on those numbers.

As Gerry stated however this is the government and the with that said the restrictions on what they can and cant do are still stacked against us as the system is admittedly broken so major change has to happen. Another reason NOT to give up the fight as if it doesn't get done for 2017 there is the future for us and future generations that need our support to facilitate that change.
Without our voices its easy for them to remain status quo.


Some positive things:
- Most of our concerns, (EX: Slot fish, Not taking only females, Bad data in, bad regs out, different methods in the future for Stock Assessment, Leaving 2017 Status quo as per 2016 regs until a new bench mark Stock assessment model can be implemented, The huge financial impact on NJ shore fishing related business, were introduced at the meeting and at least discussions have begun. Where all that goes remain to be seen.
- Congressman Frank Pallone attended the conference and gave an impassioned speech on the negative impact the proposed reductions would have on NJ ( for whatever that's worth but at least he showed up on our behalf)
There were some "interesting" ideas from the public comments read into the session. Not worth elaborating on yet unless they end up in the final document.
- Also those in attendance raised our concerns fluently and accurately regarding flaws in the Stock assessments that could not be denied.

The document addendum 28 will be finalized after the wave 5 data is introduced, then opened for public comment sometime in the near future and then go to the individual states to decide what options they will present to meet the mandated reductions. Probably wont be over or decided until sometime in March

Stay tuned and stay ANGRY