[captbogan]

Thank you Gerry

Done and done.

You couldn't make it easier for anyone who posts on this site to make a comment to fisheries.

Thank you for paying attention to fisheries. I do not know how I am not getting pertinent emails from NMFS, since I am subscribed, but I guess I know why.

I changed my comment a little:

Dear Members of the Black Seabass Fisheries Management Council,

I am concerned with the prospects of further cutbacks to our recreational sea bass limits. I am the owner of a recreational for-hire business. Our fishing community cannot sustain further restrictions on a black sea bass biomass that is more than 100% rebuilt. We need this fishery. The catch limits for recreation should be increasing --not decreasing.

Besides the obvious detriment to our already troubled fishing community --it needs to be noted that sea bass eat young lobster and other crustaceans at a high rate. This needs to be considered as a factor in the low lobster population estimates, rather than blaming lobster fishermen.

Science-based management is the foundation of successful conservation, and the recent data confirm that Black Sea Bass are thriving under the current framework. It is only fair and logical to allow regulations to evolve in response to this success. These regulations have worked for the fish, so now it’s time for them to work for the fishermen too. Maintaining overly restrictive measures in the face of abundant stock undermines public trust and risks alienating the very communities who have supported conservation efforts in good faith.

I appreciate the Council’s continued dedication to sustainable fisheries management and trust that you will weigh this request seriously as you begin planning for the 2026/2027 season.

Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Robert Bogan
For-hire vessel Gambler
Point Pleasant Bch NJ