[Gerry Zagorski]

So one of the arguments we made as recreationals when we were fighting for status quo was we should not be forced to keep 19 inch Fluke which are all females. Now we have 18 inch regulations and a shorter season so there was some horse trading since you can't have it both ways...

In any event, the fact that the Sec of Commerce sided with the NJDEP vs what NFMS wanted is a victory in itself, albeit with regulations that still suck.

Lots of changes happening in the Fisheries Management Ranks as you saw here and is evidenced by all the new appointments that have been made recently. Further, the SSFFF size sex study is going to be reviewed and factored in for the 2018 Fluke Stock assessment so progress there too.

There are battles and there are wars. Fact is these are some major strategic wins. We can continue to argue and be divided on the short term tactical battles when regulations are set and we fight over the scraps they throw us every Spring. We do however need to keep our eye on the bigger prize by winning the war and that's by staying united to fight the bigger strategic and long term issues. That's when real change can occur but it does not happen over night.