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Originally Posted by No Keepers
Well said. If we are going to rebuild this fishery we need to stop targeting the breeders', increase recruitment as well as eliminate all harvesting during the spawn.
New Jersey made advancements with the introduction of a slot fish (although to tight of a slot). These efforts should the refined and strengthen. Not abandoned only to return to failed regulations of the past. It reminds me of Einstein's definition of insanity also.
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IMO thinking us throwing back fish larger than 18” only to have commercial draggers net them the same week is just as insane .
They are allowing NC boats much of the year 30000 pounds a week per boat .
Those boats destroyed the NC fishery , and now target their quota as far away as Massachusetts.
That doesn’t account for all the NJ boats targeting their weekly catch . Including when fish really stack up heading to spawn .
The only way recreational fisherman can make a change is in fisheries were we are the only ones fishing for the species .
The slot fish in NJ did not do anything but increase our poundage by adding increases mortality .
Guys need to look at the entire picture , not just a piece of it .
Start watching fish get filleted EVERY trip . See how many of the fish under 18” are still female fish , who just also did not get to spawn .
If they claim the biggest biomass of fish is under 18”
Letting them breed an extra year should also be beneficial.
While larger fluke will have more eggs , it’s claimed older fish carry eggs that are not as fertile .
It’s time for NMFS to start getting better info and work on what’s really the problem .
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